Shirley J. Saathoff, age 86, of DeWitt, passed away Wednesday morning, March 22, 2023, at Whispering Winds Cottage in Beatrice.
She was born Dec. 19, 1936, at her home south of Wymore to Harm and Tena (Pollman) Ehnen. She was a 1954 graduate of Barneston High School. On May 20, 1956, she was united in marriage to Leonard Saathoff. She worked for the Beatrice Daily Sun, cleaned homes and wallpapered and painted homes. She also worked as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. While she held various jobs, she was always a devoted mom and wife. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in DeWitt and involved with Hope Circle and managed the DeWitt Senior Center after her retirement. Shirley had been an active member of the DeWitt Community Club. She enjoyed quilting, golfing and visiting shut-in community members. She was also an avid Husker fan.
Those left to mourn her passing are her husband, Leonard, of DeWitt; daughters, Shari Green of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Susan Futscher and husband Corey of Sabetha, Kansas; grandchildren, Michael (Erin) Green, Leah (Rob) Nagely, Kyle Saathoff and Mariah Saathoff; great-grandchildren, Remi Green, Lincoln Green and Thomas Nagely; brothers, Duane (Anita) Ehnen and Leon (Judy) Ehnen; brothers-in-law, Loren (Doris) Saathoff and Gene (Donna) Saathoff; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Jerry Saathoff (2016); two infant daughters; sister, Delores (George) Youst; parents-in-law, Carl and Lula Saathoff; and brother-in-law, Ronald Saathoff.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, at Trinity Lutheran Church in DeWitt with burial at the Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Whispering Winds Cottage, Trinity Lutheran Church or Cottonwood Hospice with the funeral home in charge. Arrangements by Venrick-Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in DeWitt.
