Ralph Eugene Sawatzky was born on December 7, 1939 in Enid, Oklahoma to Johnny and Lillian Sawatzky and died on April 11, 2018 in Enid. His Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00PM Friday, April 13, 2018 at Emmanuel Enid with Reverend Wade Burleson officiating. Private family graveside were held prior to the service in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home.
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He attended elementary schools in rural Enid, Kremlin, and North Enid. Ralph had the responsibility of driving the little Ford tractor to school, picking up the teacher and several other students on the way. He attended high school at Corn Bible Academy in Corn, Oklahoma, where he accepted Jesus Christ as his savior in his junior year. He was baptized a short time later and joined the North Enid Mennonite Brethren Church. While at CBA he met LaNetta Wiens, and after dating for two years, they were married in 1958 on a snowy December day in Adams, Oklahoma. They made their first home in Denver, Colorado, where he served his 1W assignment at Denver General Hospital. They then moved to Enid, and Ralph worked at Champlin Refinery, Enid Air, Raleigh Bicycles, Chesterfield Cylinder, Janzen Olds GMC, and Madison Spraying. He was a member of NW Oklahoma Woodturners Association (Enid and Oklahoma City Clubs), Emmanuel Enid, and a former member of Oklahoma Bass Club and Grand National Quail Club.
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Ralph was a man of many interests. In his early adulthood, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a handyman who could fix anything and was always busy in his wood shop. A few years ago he began a serious career of woodturning and greatly enjoyed creating beautiful vessels, pens, toys for the great grandkids, and other items that he gave away or donated to charity. He never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went.
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Ralph was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, LaNetta; three children and their spouses, Pam and David Harms of Corn, OK, Earl and Tami Sawatzky of Weatherford, OK, Dave and Shelly Sawatzky of Moore, OK; twelve grandchildren, ten great grandchildren; one sister, Kay Toews of Enid.
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Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Water 4.
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To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ralph Eugene Sawatzky please visit our Sympathy Store.
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Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580)233-2700.
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