Gerald D. 'Soddy' Saathoff

Gerald D. “Soddy” Saathoff, 80, of Franklin, died Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the Golden Living Center in Franklin. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at the Greenwood Cemetery in Franklin with Pastor Herman Keen officiating. Military honors at graveside will be provided by the Franklin V.F.W. and also the Nebraska National Guard Funeral Honors Team. There will be no visitation. The family suggests memorials to the First United Congregational Church of Christ, the Franklin Young Guns 4-H club or the Golden Living Center in Franklin. Visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. He was born on June 11, 1934 on a farmstead southeast of Macon, Nebraska, to Herman and Della (Silvants) Saathoff. Soddy was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Macon and a member of the Congregational Church of Franklin. He received his education (K-7) at District #9 in Macon and graduated in 1952 from Franklin High School in Franklin. Soddy joined the service in January 1957. He completed his basic training at Fort Ord, California; medical training in San Antonio, Texas; with military service in Fort Polk, Louisiana. In January 1959 he was honorably discharged from the service as a medic. On December 27, 1959, he married Margaret (Smith) Saathoff at the Methodist Church in Kensington, KS. They were blessed with two sons, Jody J. and Daren D. Soddy had many talents (implement assembler, gas attendant, electrician, clerk, and production manager) and worked for a number of companies: Black Motor Company, LaVern Cole Standard Station, Gambles, Blank Motor, Dr. Scratch and upon retiring owned and operated Soddy’s Sales and Service. Outside of work, he thoroughly enjoyed fishing, hunting, attending Husker football and volleyball games, as well as traveling. He belonged to the Franklin Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Jaycees and also the Lion’s Club. Soddy was a huge fan of his two sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and never missed any of their activities; such as birthdays, baseball, basketball or football games. He cherished each and every moment with them. Soddy leaves numerous fond memories to Jody and wife, Mary; Daren and wife, Cheryl; all of Franklin; special friend Carol Kingsley of Lincoln; one brother, Larry Saathoff of Hastings; two sisters, Carolyn Sturtevant of Hastings and Kathy Hunnicutt of Grand Island; two sisters-in-law, Beth Saathoff of Franklin and Norma Saathoff of Hastings; grandchildren, Kathy Peterman and husband, Chris; Dan Saathoff all of Franklin; and Cegie Ludeke and husband, Jeff, of Atlanta, Nebraska; great grandchildren: Caiden, Lyra, and Livia Peterman all of Franklin and Jillian and Jett Ludeke of Atlanta; embraced daughter and grandson, Lori Cole and Tom Wojokowski; as well as the extended Kingsley family and numerous friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his Parents; Wife, Margaret; Brothers, Bob, John and Harold; Sister, Joan; Half-Brother, Dick. PDF Printable Version

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Gerald D. 'Soddy' Saathoff

June 11, 1934 - September 18, 2014