Rita Sawatzky

Obituary

Rita Sawatzky, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, went home to be with her Lord, on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the age of 94.

She was born in Grunthal, MB., on February 23, 1931, to Jacob & Elizabeth Block.

She is survived by three children, Victor Klassen, Marlene Dueck (Dennis), Carol Rempel (Randy). Grandchildren, Ryan (Vicky), Andrea (Will), Terri (Corey), Jeffrey (Desiree), Patrick (Lisa), Kaitlyn (Chris). Her great-grandchildren, Chloe, Ethan, Jordan, Parker, Riley, Griffin, Madison, Jackson, Kaila, Hayden, Emma, Maggie. Also Frank’s sons, Walter (Joy), Ron (Denise), and their families.

Rita was predeceased by our dad, Jake Klassen, her second husband, Frank Sawatzky, her grandson Ian Klassen, her parents, and all of her siblings.

She married Jake R. Klassen on August 13, 1950 in Grunthal, MB. They began their life together in Winnipeg and had two children there. Five years later they moved to Steinbach where another child was born a few years later.

Our dad began his career at Bethesda Hospital shortly after and mom joined him there once her children were all in school full-time. Mom continued to work for many years after dad passed. Mom retired in 1993.

Little did she know that a few years later a gentleman would came calling. Six months later she would marry Frank Sawatzky. With that union she gained four sons and their families. They went on to have a wonderful 23 years together.

The family would like to thank the paramedics, ER doctors and nurses for their wonderful care.

The livestreamed celebration of Rita’s life will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

The ash interment will take place at a later date.