[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

Pauline Margaret (Clingan) Sauter, 20 May 1924 - 20 Jun 2020

SAUTER, CLINGAN, SLOCUM, HARTZLER, GROTZINGER, HILLS, FARRIER, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 2/9/2021 at 13:39:20

Pauline Margaret (Clingan) Sauter quietly left this life in her sleep June 20, 2020, one month after having enjoyed a raucous celebration of her 96th birthday in true Covid style: seated with her daughter Peggy in shady lawn chairs, waving to friends and family in a parade of cars (including four plice cars with sirens blaring), all with horns, people hanging out of windows shouting “HAPPY BIRTHDAY,” waving balloons and signs and other noisemakers, around and around the cul-de-sac where she lived with Peggy In San Antonio. Of course neighbors came out and joined the excitement, bringing food and birthday wishes.

Polly was born in 1924 to Martin and Elsie Clingan on a farm near Ollie, Iowa, where she grew up the oldest of six siblings of whom two sisters remain: Maggie Farrier and Dona (Nonnie) Williams. Perhaps some of the things she inherited or learned during that time was her love of flowers, music, accessories, and a determination to work hard and continue learning.

She met her husband Clair Thomas Sauter (also a farm kid) who won the beautiful young woman’s heart on the dance floor, whisked her off briefly to California and returned from WWII to farm again in Iowa.

They had two “cute” daughters, Pammy and Peggy, and added a business partnership to their cooperative endeavors, Clair as owner/salesman and Polly as bookkeeper. They started and/or ran four successful businesses: Sauter Ford Implement Company in Williamsburg, IA, Nine Wonders in Eldorado Springs, MO, Tractor Parts and Farm Supply in Harrisonville, MO and Marengo Farm and Home in Marengo, IA.

Polly shared her love of music, gardening, sewing, learning and fun with her girls and friends, never failing to stay busy and enjoy life. Pammy married Richard Slocum giving Polly and Clair two grandsons Samuel and Joseph and three great grandchildren, Jonah, Jacob and Beckett.

Peggy married Gary Hartzler giving them two grandsons, Mickey and Travis; nine great grands, Rachelle, Joshua, Jessica, James, Devin, Shelby, Grace, Brody and Blake; and two great greats, Shantell and Willow. Peggy’s second marriage brought them a step daughter, Karla Grotzinger who gave a step granddaughter Sara and step great grandson Kayden.

Polly and Clair retired to Texas but she continued to play, sing, sew, paint and teach, and they still danced. After Clair died in 1997, Polly spent 15 years with Bob Hills from Illinois doing much of the same things, including traveling, but without the dancing.

All the people she spent time with from business, community, church and family remember Polly as pretty, frugal, honest, creative, energetic, generous with her time and learning, and as an enlivening spirit. Though missed greatly, may she now rest in peace after 96 years of a well-lived life. And may she and Clair have a good dance band up there.

Published in The Hometown Current January 6, 2021.


 

Iowa Obituaries maintained by Steve Williams.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen

[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]