Mary Viola Dettweiler

1921 - 2002  (81 years)

• Name	Mary Viola Dettweiler
  Born	3 Mar 1921	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Gender	Female
  Name	Mary Viola Sayer
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-169574
  Died	30 Apr 2002	Olds, Alberta
  Buried	West Zion Mennonite Cemetery, near, Carstairs, , Alberta, Canada
  Person ID	I169574	Generations
  Last Modified	12 May 2025

  
  

  Father	Isaiah Dettweiler,   b. 29 Dec 1888, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 12 Jan 1969, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 80 years)
  Mother	Lucinda Bechtel,   b. 1 Feb 1893, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 19 Jun 1960, Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 67 years)
  Married	20 Nov 1918	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  Family ID	F41223	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	John Arthur Sayer,   b. Abt 1920
  Last Modified	13 May 2025
  Family ID	F42239	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Mary Viola Dettweiler was born March 3, 1921 near Breslau, Ontario to Isaiah and Lucinda (Bechtel) Dettweiler. She was the second oldest in a family of eight living children - four girls and four boys. Mary's parents loved the Lord and as a young girl Mary asked Jesus Christ to be her Saviour and worked for Him ever since. As a young lady, Mary trained as a nurses' assistant and worked in Ontario. She spent a year in Voluntary Service (VS) in a home for unwed mothers in Washington, DC. While home from VS, Mary was picking fruit in the same orchard as John Sayer, an Alberta farmer. He picked out a "Peach" and after a long distance courtship he suggested they start their own family tree. They were married Oct 24, 1953 and Mary moved to the Sayer home farm west of Carstairs, Alberta. She soon became known as a friendly, hospitable neighbour. John and Mary raised their three children Nancy (Johnson), Charlotte (Stace) and Melvin on the farm. John and Mary gave their children a stable and happy home. Active in their community church, West Zion Mennonite Church over the years, Mary taught Sunday School, worked with WMSC and had a open home for anyone needing a place to go. She also volunteered with the Didsbury Auxiliary and Meals on Wheels. She was always ready to offer a hand if she knew of someone in need, and many people will remember her for a kindness she gave. Mary always enjoyed gardening, growing enough for her family and to share with others. She took delight in each grandchild and has always been involved in their lives as well as faithfully praying for each one. In August 1999, John and Mary made their home in Sunrise Village, Olds. They have made many new friends and it wasn't long before Mary again shared her love with those around her through her kind words and loving gestures. Mourning her loss are many friends as well as her husband John; children, Nancy (Stephen) Johnston, Charlotte (Greg) Stace, Melvin (Priscilla) Sayer; grandchildren Aaron (Rausheen), Roland, Shannon, Janna, Marissa, Luke, Allen, Angela, Charlotte and Melody; siblings, Harold (Margaret) Dettweiler, Ward (Beatrice) Dettweiler, Clarke (Ruth) Dettweiler, Ruby (Silvin) Roth, Norma Dettweiler and brother-in-law Laverne Good and sister-in-law Joyce Dettweiler; brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard (Lillian) Sayer, Clare (Jane) Good, Alberta Cressman and many nieces and nephews.Predeceased by her parents, sister Margaret Good, and brothers Glenn (1989) and David.

  
  

• Sources

  [S8] News - Gospel Herald, Obituary of Lucinda Detweiller - July 26, 1960.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 3 Mar 1921 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 30 Apr 2002 - Olds, Alberta Buried - - West Zion Mennonite Cemetery, near, Carstairs, , Alberta, Canada  = Link to Google Earth