Dorothy Marie (Haselhorst) Sauer

Dorothy Marie Sauer

Dorothy Marie Sauer, 99, Hays, died Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at Via Christi Village in Hays.

She was born May 8, 1922 in Vincent, Kansas one of eleven children to Henry and Mary (Schrage) Haselhorst.  She started her education in Vincent and completed it in Schoenchen.  While growing up, she assisted with the farm work using horse drawn machinery and helping herd cattle.  She rode horseback three and a half miles to attend religion classes five times a week.  On August 5, 1940 she was united in marriage to Clarence Sauer in Antonino, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on December 4, 1998.  Dorothy was sworn in as Postmaster of Antonino on November 1, 1950, a position she would hold until her retirement over 30 years later on January 9, 1981.  The Antonino Post Office was housed in the Sauer Service Phillips 66 Filling Station, and Dorothy would help fill gas, check the oil, or sell candy and pop.  Her memberships include:  Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, the Antonino Christian Mothers, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Sunflower Polka Club, and she helped establish the Antonino Cemetery Association.  She was very involved in the Antonino community, proudly patriotic, enjoyed music, singing with her gospel group, teaching kids to dance, and loved flower gardening and visiting with children at the post office.

Survivors include her son: Melvin J. Sauer, Sr. and wife Mary of Hays, daughter: Irma Klaus and husband Gene of Mulvane, five grandchildren: Sandra Phillips and husband Mark, J.T. Klaus, Shelly Steadman and husband Kyle, Mel Sauer, Jr. and wife Jennifer, and Kay Shippy and husband Darrell, seven great grandchildren: Danielle Phillips, Whitney Phillips, Courtney Klaus, Nathan Klaus, Anna Pachta and husband Ryan, Ethan Shippy, and Claire Shippy, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband: Clarence, five brothers: Raymond, Norbert, Irvin, Elmer, and Harold Haselhorst and five sisters: Emmerentia Werth, Esther Basgall, Henrietta Byington, Frances Hutton, and Mary Jane Schmidt.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, June 7, 2021 at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Antonino with Fr. Earl Befort officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until 10:00 on Monday at the church.  An Antonino Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30 pm, all on Sunday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to the Antonino Cemetery Association.  Condolences and memories of Dorothy may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com

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