Harder – Edith Harder of Brooks, AB passed away on Tuesday, January 15th , 2025 at the age of 81 years. Edith was born at the Bassano Hospital on January 8th, 1944. She was the second daughter and third child to Helmut Bernhardt and Ruth Margaret Harder (nee Weik). She attended school in Rosemary, Alberta, and later graduated in 1964 as a Nursing Aide in Calgary, Alberta. Edith worked as a Nursing Aide at the Bassano Hospital before she had children. On October 12th, 1964, Edith married Raymond John Sawatsky in Bassano, Alberta, and they had three children; Kelly Ann Wallace (nee Sawatsky), Martin Raymond Sawatsky, and Janet Ruth Sawatsky. Edith was a very social person and participated in countless fundraising activities for her local church. She was baptized at the Evangelical Free Church in 1979 and was an active volunteer and board member. Edith was also a caregiver for her mother for many years in Rosemary, Alberta. Later on, she moved to Brooks, Alberta and spent her remaining years at Newbrook Lodge. She had many friends and family throughout the Gem, Bassano, Rosemary and Brooks communities, and all will miss her. Edith will be remembered most for her great gift of gab, laughter, playing games, photography, sewing and the baking of delicious pies, cookies and buns. Edith was a very active woman whose contributions to her family, friends, neighbours, church and community will be cherished and missed. She wrote and received many letters from her grandchildren who loved her stories and baking. Edith is survived by her two sisters, Charlotte Van Bergen and Laura Kasdorf, her children, their spouses and grandchildren; Kelly and Thomas Wallace, their son Keaton Thomas Wallace and their daughter Taryn Ann Wallace; Martin Raymond Sawatsky and his wife Brenda Sawatsky, Martin’s son Joshua Dean Sawatsky and daughter Martina Jean Sawatsky; Janet Ruth Sawatsky and Christopher James Harold Burns and their daughter Mhairi Ruth Burns. Edith also had many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Edith is predeceased by her grandson Travis Paul Sawatsky, her ex-husband Ray Sawatsky, her brother Erwin Harder and his wife Barb Harder, as well as her parents. Edith is now with her Lord and Saviour and wanted to share her favourite scripture that guided her path every day: “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 The family would like to thank the Newbrook Lodge for providing the best home for our mother in her later years. She truly loved the place, the staff and the people who became her extended family. We would also like to thank the Brooks Health Centre for the care they provided Edith in her last years. There will be a graveside service with family and a celebration of life gathering with family and friends later in 202. In memory of Edith, if friends desire, Memorial tributes may be made directly to either Southern Alberta Bible Camp (SABC) https://sabc.ca/donate/ or World Vision Canada https://www.worldvision.ca.
Cremation entrusted to and conducted at
Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca
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