John Milton Sagers (1925-2022)

SAGERS, STROTHER, VERDOORN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/26/2022 at 08:58:56

JOHN MILTON SAGERS Highland Ranch, Colo. John Milton Sagers, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and a former long-time Cedar Rapids, Iowa, resident, died May 7, 2022, at the age of 97. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. June 4, at Cedar Memorial Cemetery, in Cedar Rapids. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Birgit Sagers; his parents; one brother and four sisters. He is survived by his two daughters, Janit Strother (Kenneth) from Castle Rock, Colo., and Margit Verdoorn (Robert) from Russellville, Ark.; and other family members. Janit's family include his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jon Strother and his wife, Stefani (A.J.), Britta Chou and her husband, Solomon (twins on the way), Ann Abromaitis and husband, Jason (Jack, Ellie, and Tyler). Margit's family include his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Gretchen Gutierrez and husband Tim (Samantha); Jameson Verdoorn and wife Vicki (Emma); and Lindsay Murray and husband Justin (Connor, Penelope, Henry). John was born in Maquoketa, Iowa, and graduated from Maquoketa High School where he played football and basketball, participated in band, glee club and dramatics. He attended Maquoketa Junior College. John spent three years in the service with the United States Coast Guard, where he specialized in radar and electronics work at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. followed by his service on the West Coast during World War II. Afterwards he attended Iowa State College, receiving a B.S. in General Engineering and later attended the University of Iowa receiving a law degree. John joined Peoples Bank and Trust Company in Cedar Rapids, as assistant trust officer and retired as president and C.E.O. after 40-plus years. He was a life member of the Coe College Board of Trustees where he served on the executive, finance and investment committees. He was active in the Greater Downtown Association, United Community Services, Cedar Rapids Estate Planners, Chamber of Commerce, served as president of the Iowa Trust Association and Elmcrest Country Club, was as member of the Optimist Club, Linn County and American Bankers Associations, American Institute of Banking and a board member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club. John was a member of Mizpah Masonic Lodge, Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite, El Kahir Shrine, Royal Order of Jesters, Elks Club, Presidents and I Club at the University of Iowa and was a member of First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids for many years. Since retirement, John enjoyed many winters in Naples, Fla., and he loved participating in activities such as tennis, golf, fishing, hunting, and sporting events in Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Greater Cedar Rapids Foundation, First Lutheran Church, Coe College or a charity of your choice.