Wilma Sawatzky

Wilma Sawatzky, born August 20, 1939 in Tulia, Texas, passed away peacefully at home with family in Santa Fe, New Mexico the morning of June 28th, 2022. Wife to Gerald Sawatzky, daughter of  Audrey and Howard O’Daniel, sister to Doug and Mark O’Daniel, Mother to Karen (Jonathan)Rau and Kelly (Dave) Mitchell. Grandmother to James (Vivan) and Kyle Burbridge, Allison (Blake) Brown , Gabe and Sean Rau.  Great Grandmother to Llweyn and Lila Brown.

Wilma harbored a budding sense of adventure that would eventually take her from the panhandle of Texas to every corner of the globe. As a child Wilma, along with her brothers and cousins, contracted Polio. She spent 3 months in a Polio ward and it became a defining time in her life that she never forgot. Wilma or “Willie” as she was called in school was very popular with her classmates. She was a cheerleader as well as an outstanding basketball player where she was elected basketball queen in 1956. After high school she attended North Texas State University to pursue her secondary education where she would meet her first husband, Robert Looney. The couple would welcome two daughters, Kelly and Karen.

In 1969, Wilma and her family moved to Wichita, Kansas. The following year, she would meet Gerald Sawatzky, an ambitious, skillful attorney. The two fell in love and were married in 1972. Within a few months of being married, Wilma began taking flying lessons and would find another love of her life - flying. In 1974, she received her commercial pilots license and her first commercial flight would take Jerry and several other lawyers to a small grass strip in the Flint Hills of Kansas. From there, Wilma and Jerry would purchase their own plane - a Piper Cherokee 6300 - and she would fly commercially for Jerry through the early 90s. His work would take them all over North America - Washington D.C. to San Francisco, the Bahamas to Anchorage, Alaska. She was a decorated and highly skilled pilot, obtaining Private, Commercial, Instructor, and Twin Engine Pilot Ratings, as well as an Instrument Rating that would prove useful when conditions would turn treacherous. She would go on to compete in the last ever Powder Puff Derby - an all female transcontinental race from the West to the East coasts. During her flying career she successfully negotiated two emergency landings, one in Ohio at a Military base and the other in the middle of a field In Western Kansas on Thanksgiving day.  These experiences proved that she was very cool under pressure. Before Jerry retired from law, they took one last trip to Alaska. After that trip they sold their beloved Piper, a move that would bring Wilma to tears.  

Wilma had a great penchant for fun. You never knew what costume she would bring with her and who would be forced to wear it. From Santa, Santa’s Elves, the Easter bunny and Big bird.  

Wilma was always known as a second Mom to all of Karen and Kelly’s friends growing up in Wichita, the house was always a warm and inviting place where everyone felt comfortable, as were her homes.  She always made people feel at ease with her. She loved entertaining, especially decorating for parties.  One party in Wichita she hired a mariachi band.  They strolled throughout the house blaring their music. It was fabulous.  She participated in progressive dinners, always wanting to do the appetizer portion because it was the most interesting. Wherever she went she made friends and hosted parties from Wichita to Pagosa Springs to Santa Fe and left her mark. 

Following Jerry’s retirement they moved to Pagosa Springs, CO which at the time was a sleepy mountain town.  For years the whole family loved going to visit “Mimi” (as she was known to her grandchildren and great grandchildren) and Jerry in Pagosa to ski, hike, or just hang out in her beautiful home. Of course she quickly made many lifetime friends in Pagosa. While there, she became aware of the incredibly poor Hopi tribe in Second Mesa, AZ.  She created a charity to help the Hopi peoples of Arizona known as Hopi Connection.  Over the years she would travel to second Mesa to deliver clothing, food and materials and organizing skilled labor to repair their homes. She felt a deep bond with the Hopis that she cherished for the remainder of her life.  Wilma loved all of her grandchildren.  For two years she took care of her special needs grandson Gabe, so Karen could finish her secondary education. They became best buds as she took him to therapy or across the country for a children’s yoga clinic. This is just one example of the lengths Mimi would go for her grandchildren and children. When her grandson, Kyle, nearly choked to death on a piece of hamburger as a toddler, she decided she needed to become an EMT- so she did it! When her granddaughter Allison needed a chaperone to accompany her to Japan for a modeling job, Mimi signed up! It was this trip where they truly bonded and had so much fun!

Most of her life Santa Fe held a special place in her heart.  She loved and became an avid collector of Spanish retablos and santos.  Her collection rivaled some museums. She also loved Native American art including pottery, beadwork and rugs.  Again, her collections were Museum quality.  One of her favorite pastimes was to attend the Indian market on the Santa Fe Plaza every August as often as she could make it.  Jerry and Wilma moved to Santa Fe in 2014.  She of course, immediately made friends and loved going into town to shop at the consignment stores, art galleries and dine at the wonderful restaurants. She was also an avid Bridge player. 

Wilma was a great supporter of those around her.  Whether they were close family or distant friends in need of a hand, she would be there to help in whatever way she could. Above all else, she was supportive and willing to go as far as her body would take her to help anyone who needed it.  She was as beautiful inside as she was outside. 

Wilma will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. 

A special Thank You to Compassus Hospice for their kindness and compassion during our time of need.  

We invite you to post a condolence, a thoughtful message, a photograph or share a memory for the family to read on the guestbook at www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com (505)753-2288

Please join Wilma Family and Friends for a Celebration of her incredible life.  August 28, 2022 at Bishops Lodge in the Historic Chaple Garden beginning at 5:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers please contribute in Wilma’s name to Challenge New Mexico Therapy Horseback riding.  

Challenge New Mexico 

74 Caja Del Rio

Santa Fe, NM  87507