Isaac (Ike) peacefully passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail, BC on January 16, 2019.
He is survived by his daughter Joanne van der Ham (Joe), his step-son Ralph Unger (Karen), his step-daughter Monica Wood (Brian), grandchildren Andrew van der Ham (Kailyn) and Katie Severin (Jon), step-granddaughters Brittany Wood (Rod) and Kirsten Wood (Francisco), and step-grandsons Ryan Unger (Amanda) and Kyle Unger (Emily). He also has 4 great-grandchildren, Anna and Brynleigh Severin, and Halyna and Oliver van der Ham, and 5 great-step-grandchildren, Jackson, Keira, Lucas, Hayden and Fin. He is also survived by his brother John Sawatzky and sister Mary Goertzen (Bill).
Isaac was predeceased by his wife Eleanor (Warkentin) in 1982, his wife Hilda (Enns-Unger) in 2014, his parents John and Maria Sawatzky, sister Erica Sawatzky, and brother Al Sawatzky.
Isaac was born in Arnaud, Manitoba. At 17 years of age he trained to become a temporary teacher in a country school. In early 1944 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, took basic training and Nursing Orderly training, and then served in the Montreal Military Hospital until December 1945. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Diploma in Education and a Bachelor of Science Degree (chemistry major) in 1949. He then began an exemplary 40 year career with Kraft Foods, which included being Plant Manager in both Vancouver, BC and Ingelside, Ontario. Although he retired in 1989 he continued for 10 years as technical consultant to the Fraser Valley food industry where he researched and developed unique food products.
Isaac is remembered as a gentleman who treated others with consideration and gratitude. His faith in Christ was his source of hope and guided his world view. He loved to curl, golf, fish and travel, and served the community in many capacities throughout his life.
The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Rosewood Village for treating him so well during the past 15 months, and the staff of the Emergency and Surgical units at KBRH for their kindness and care this past week.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2018 at 2:00 pm at the Trail Alliance Church, 3365 Laburnum Drive, with Reverend Andrew Martens officiating. Al Grywacheski of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in Isaac’s name to the KBRH Health Foundation Emergency Department Campaign at 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca or to the Union Gospel Mission at 601 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1J7 or online at www.ugm.ca
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Isaac Ike Henry Sawatsky January 16th 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique