Lanette Jane Saathoff

Lanette Jane Saathoff

Westbrook, Minn.

Lanette Jane Saathoff, 87 of Westbrook, Minn., formerly of Grundy Center, Iowa, died June 3, 2023, at the Sanford Medical Center in Westbrook, Minn. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at Engelkes-Abels Funeral and Cremation Service in Grundy Center, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 9, at American Lutheran Church of Grundy Center. A burial will follow the service at Elmwood Cemetery in Dike.

Lanette was born May 21, 1936, in Holland, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Anna (Schmidt) Werkman. She attended country school in the town of Holland and graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1954. After graduation, Lanette worked at the Spokeman Press in Grundy Center. On June 2, 1961, she was united in marriage to George C. Saathoff in Holland, Iowa. This marriage was blessed with three children, Karla, Kevin and Kelly.

Lanette spent her entire life as a devoted homemaker, farm wife and seamstress, creating countless baby blankets, quilts, wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and making hundreds of alterations.

She was a long time member of Peace Lutheran Church in Ryan, IA and in later years, American Lutheran in Grundy Center. She was involved with Bible School, the Helping Hands Committee and with the ladies group at Peace Lutheran, especially sewing quilts. Being a part of 4-H in Adams township, Delaware County was something she took pride in, serving as a 4-H leader and youth mentor. Supporting her children’s participation in sports was important to her. She was a true supporter – uniforms, taxi service, making lunches or snacks and fund raising and never missed a game!

Lanette enjoyed flowers and plants, feeding the birds, visiting over coffee or tea and shopping. Her greatest joy was spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her grateful family left to cherish her memory are her children, Karla (Bruce) Gundermann, Kevin Saathoff and Kelly (Missy) Saathoff; four grandchildren, Kallie (Adam) Baumann, Eli Gundermann, Lauryn and Kelsey Saathoff; four great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Emmerson, Asher and Ainslee Baumann; sisters, Arlene (Melvin) Haupt, Lois Meester, Diane Ascher; brothers-in-law, Arnold (Martha) Saathoff and Harold (Doris) Saathoff; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lanette was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Anna; her parents-in-law, Arend and Freeda; husband, George; sisters, Marge (Curt) Meester and Wanda (Gordon) Akers; and brothers-in-law, Sylvian Meester and James Ascher.