Fredrick John Sawatzky

Fred was born on August 23, 1926 at home, east of Kroschel to Adolph and Mabel (Goff) Sawatzky. He was one of ten children born to Adolph & Mabel.

He was baptized and confirmed at the Kroschel Lutheran Church and baptized and confirmed again as an adult when he converted to Catholicism at St. Willibrord’s Catholic Church.

Even though Fred was born and raised during a difficult time, he found many joys in life that carried on through the years. As a young adult, he attended one of Arthur Murray Dance Schools and went on to win many awards with his wife. There aren’t too many people that knew Fred that hadn’t shared a waltz, polka or fox trot with him.

Fred attended grade schools in the Kroschel area and graduated from Hinckley High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946 during WWII and was stationed in the Pacific Theater (Guam); he was honorably discharged as Radioman 3rd Class. Fred then attended the Agricultural Program at the University of MN. Unfortunately, he had to leave college to help on the family farm; seeing his grandchildren graduate from high school and college brought him great joy.

Fred married Agnes Rosemary Ness on June 30, 1951 at St. Willibrord’s Catholic Church in Sandstone, MN. Agnes’ mother prepared a huge breakfast, a late dinner and a supper before the wedding dance only to be followed by more food, wine and more food during the celebration. It was a long and pleasant event.

They lived in a number of places early in their marriage, but settled on the farm north of Mora and raised their eight children: Dianne, Catherine, Mary Ann, Mark, Frederick, Daniel, Cynthia and James. Prior to Agnes’ passing in 1979, they operated like many farm families do – working when there was work to be done and fishing and horsing around when the work was done. While Agnes held down the fort and was busy with the children and baking her amazing cakes, Fred worked very hard to support his family. After he lost his wife, he raised the remaining three children alone and kept the farm going. During his working years, he bought a brand new milk truck and hauled his own milk and operated a milk route, worked for the railroad, Honeywell, Blaw-Knox, Tinker and Johnson, Napa and then farmed the rest of his life until he retired due to health reasons in 1993. Fortunately, he was able to stay at the farm with Mark and Joyce until only a few years ago. Before he moved to Eastwood Senior Living, he kept busy with the garden, baking, church and keeping up with family and friends. At Eastwood, his family grew even more because of the amazing caregivers and friends that were there for him.

Although he wasn’t known for being the center of attention, he was an incredibly social fellow. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Toastmasters, Warman School Board and served over 30 years on the board of East Central Electric. In his spare time, Fred enjoyed reading, cooking, baking, gardening, bird watching and socializing. A particular interest for Fred was reading and learning about holistic medicine. He wasn’t a big sports fan, but thoroughly enjoyed the arts and would often attend choir, band and plays at the schools – especially when his grandchildren were involved.

During his life, he vacationed in San Francisco with Agnes; Hawaii with daughter, Cindy and her husband, Dan; and enjoyed long stays at his son, Dan and wife, Kate’s home in New London. When he wasn’t traveling or working, many memories were made teaching someone to bake a homemade chocolate cake, milking cows, baling hay, mowing the lawn or just sitting on the old front porch at the farm. His family was incredibly important to him – Fred was easy to visit with and if not, he was fun to argue with. He was quick-witted and sharp until the very end. He had and shared with his family, an incredible heart and work ethic. Words cannot express how deeply he will be missed. As you kick back and relax tonight, maybe drink a Samuel Adams lager and send up a, “cheers” to Fred.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes; son-in-law, Dan Lee Vogel; granddaughter, Carrie Lynn Moss; sisters, Blanche Laudenbach and Rebecca Sawatzky; brothers, Bernard, John and Joseph Sawatzky; brothers-in-law, Jerome Laudenbach, Terry Covert, Russ Shipley and Marvin Ingemansen.

Fred is survived by his eight children, Dianne Moss, Catherine Sawatzky, Mary Ann Vogel, Mark (Joyce) Sawatzky, Fred Sawatzky (Robin Priebe), Daniel (Kate) Sawatzky, Cynthia (Daniel) Cunnien and Jim (Kim) Sawatzky; 25 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Delores Covert, Maybelle Shipley, Helena Johnson & Edith Schween; sister-in-law, Atha Sawatzky; sisters-in-law, Alice (Dean) Jensen, Ann Ingemansen; brother-in-law, Edward (Beverly) Ness; dear friends, Ruth Ann & Terry Telander and the Wyman Telander family; also by many loving relatives and friends – especially those at Eastwood Senior Living.

A visitation will be held today, Thursday, August 8, 2013 from 4-7PM at St. Mary’s Parish Center, 201 East Forest Avenue in Mora with a 7PM Rosary Service. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 9, 2013 at 11AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Mora where Fred has been a member since 1957. Visitation will also be held 1 hour prior to the service at church.

He will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Mora.

Arrangements under the direction of Gearhart Funeral Home.