Funeral services for 93-year-old Frank Sawatzky of St. James, Minnesota, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, April 25, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church in St. James. The church is located at 706 3rd Avenue South.
Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery in rural St. James, located on Watonwan County Road #27 South.
Reverend Erin Kobs will officiate the services.
Visitation will be at the church the day of the funeral service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Sturm Funeral Home-St. James Chapel, is handling the arrangements.
Frank Sawatzky passed away on Monday, April 20, 2015, in St. James.
Frank Vernon Sawatzky was born on January 31, 1922, in St. James, the son of Frank and Katharina (Friesen) Sawatzky. As a young boy, he grew up on the family farm, attended country school through the 8th grade and then graduated from Butterfield Public High School.
Frank served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
Returning to the Butterfield area at the end of the war, he farmed for several years. Frank started Mountain Lake Implement in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, which over the years evolved into a parts and motorcycle shop, eventually opening a second parts supply business in St. James.
Frank married Shirley Munson of St. James, and in 1973 married Doris Haseman Peterson. The couple continued to make their home in St. James.
Frank was a past commander of the Darfur VFW, past president of the Minnesota Aftermarket Automotive Parts Association, enjoyed woodworking, stained glass work and was a silversmith.
Frank and Doris enjoyed many years of RV traveling together.
Frank is survived by his wife, Doris Sawatzky of St. James; children Robert (Joannel) Sawatzky of Florida, Roger (Kathy) Sawatzky of Wisconsin and Randy (Lori) Sawatzky of Minnesota; step-children, Murlene (David) Gruis of Minnesota and Greg (Mary) Peterson of Minnesota; grandson, Noah Sawatzky and numerous step-grand and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Sarah Chapman, Elmer Sawatzky and Lillian Barker.
