Peter Jacob Saathoff

Peter Jacob Saathoff, 95, of New Hartford passed away at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home of Waterloo on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.  He was born October 1, 1924, near Dike, Iowa, the son of Harm and Harmke (Westerman) Saathoff.  Peter served his country post WWII in the United States Navy at the Great Lakes Naval Base.  Following an honorable discharge, he returned to Iowa and was married to Darlene Buseman on September 24, 1947 at Bethel Reformed Church of Rural Aplington.  The couple farmed near New Hartford until Peter retired in 1989.  He served as a deacon/elder at Pleasant Valley Reformed Church near Fern as well as having served for 12 years on the Board of Education for New Hartford Schools. Peter was also a Seedsman for Pioneer Seed Corn for 25 years.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Tole Beitelman and Jasper Beitelman; an infant brother, Jacob Saathoff; and a sister, Alma Hyde.  He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Darlene; his son, Robert (Laurene) Saathoff of Clarksville; 3 daughters, Verlene (Neale) Oldenburger of Aplington, Patsy (Gaylen) Winterberg of Parkersburg and Denise (Jeff) Gibbs of New Hartford; 8 grandchildren:  Aaron (Tami) Oldenburger, Amy Oldenburger, Kiley (Leah) Winterberg, Kristy (Chris) Huston, Nicole (Jay) Stevens, Abbey Morrill, Beau (Stacy) Gibbs and Chase (Lindsey Newcomb) Gibbs; 16 great-grandchildren:  Nick, Dylan (Shelby), Kiana, Jada, Andy (Kaitlyn) Sarah (Joe), Jake, Emily, Alli, Lexi, Ethan, Logan, Nadalie, Peyton, Colt and Taylor; 3 great-great grandchildren:  Connor, Grayson and Emersyn; and a sister, Hattie Hartman of Aplington.

Peter's funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 10:30 am at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cedar Falls with visitation the evening prior at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home in Cedar Falls from 4-7:00 pm.  Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery of New Hartford.  Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice, Christian Crusaders or Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church and condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com .

Peter was an extremely quiet and humble man who didn't enjoy being the focus of attention.  As a farmer, he was an extremely hard worker who instilled the value of work well done into his children.  They learned early that you never told Peter that you were bored.  He was a faithful exerciser up until his body no longer cooperated.  His neighbors could borrow any tools, anytime.  Peter was a big tease and the more he teased you, the more he loved you.  Each of his grandchildren believed they were his favorite!