Walter H. Saathoff

Walter H. Saathoff, age 88 years, of Marysville, Kansas died Wednesday evening, December 5,2012 at the Cambridge Place in Marysville. He was born May 13, 1924 at Marysville where he spent his childhood and was a 1939 graduate of Marysville High School. He then attended K-State University where he received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. Walter married Fentje Arlyne Trauernicht on September 7, 1947. Following graduation he was employed as a vocational agriculture teacher for nine years, and then worked in the field of hog genetics for twenty years. Walter served in the U.S. Air Force from July 5, 1951 to November 18, 1952 where he was a 2nd Lieutenant. His one claim to fame was that he developed and maintained a quality hog program for Farmland Industries. They resided several places and returned to the farm north of Marysville from Schleswig, Iowa in 1980 where Walter used his knowledge as a hog geneticist by starting his own feeder pig operation. They moved into Marysville in 1996. Walter was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel (State Line) Lutheran Church where he was a lifelong member. He had been a member of Kiwanis while living in Highland, Kansas, and was a former member of the Lions Club in Marysville. One of his greatest enjoyments was playing baseball.

Walter is survived by his wife Fentje Arlyne; by three daughters, Joyce Price and husband John of Portland, Oregon; Colleen Walpert and husband Bob of Shell Knob, Missouri; and Susan Kosar and husband Nick of Marysville; by six grandchildren, Christina Price Dettweiler and husband Steve; Scott Price and wife Montana; David Price and wife Jenny; Michael Price and wife Nichole; Brock Walpert and wife Julia; and T.J. Walpert; by two great grandchildren Autumn Dettweiler and Kaylee Walpert. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harm and Wilhelmina (Antons) Saathoff; by his brother, Harold and wife Eilene; by his sister, Rixty Mintzmeyer Geistfelt; and by two brothers-in-law, H.D.Mintzmeyer and Art Geistfelt.

Memorial service will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, December 8, 2012 at the Immanuel (State Line) Lutheran Church, south of Wymore, with Pastor Delmar Klover officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 1:45 p.m. Saturday in the fellowship room of the church. Private burial will precede the service at the church cemetery. Closed casket visitation will be after 5:30 p.m. Friday and until 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home in Wymore, and not at the church. Memorial to the family's choice with Louella Andreesen, Tracy Saathoff, Ramona Wienck in charge. An online register book is available at ghchapel.com

Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home, Wymore, is in charge of arrangements.