Don Sauter

Don Sauter, age 58, of Arlington, died unexpectedly at his home Tuesday, January 15, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at the Sibley East High School gymnasium in Arlington, Pastor Kurt Lehmkuhl officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Friday, January 18 at Peace Lutheran Church in Arlington, and two hours prior to service time Saturday at the school. Kolden Funeral Service of Arlington is handling the arrangements. Interment will be at a later date. Don was born on January 17, 1954, to Alvin and Alma (Vasil) Sauter in Gaylord, MN. He was a 1972 graduate of Arlington Green Isle High School, and in 1976 graduated from Mankato State University with a BS in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. He also received a Master's Degree in education from MSU. He started his teaching career in Le Center, MN in 1976, before joining the staff at Arlington Green Isle/Sibley East High School in 1977 where he taught science until his retirement in June of 2011. On July 8, 1978, Don was united in marriage to Lynn Brazil, at St. Brendan's Catholic Church in Green Isle. They enjoyed 21 years of marriage until her death in September of 1999. Don loved hunting, fishing, golfing and spending time with his family and friends. He also loved baseball and won two state championships in 1994 and 1998. In October of 2012 Don was inducted into the Minnesota State High School League Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed being an umpire. As an avid outdoors-man, Don supported Ducks Unlimited, the Minnesota Waterfowl Association, the Conservation Partners of America and Pheasants Forever. He also owned a successful lawn care business for the past 13 years. Don is survived by his children, Ryan (Justine) Sauter and Kristi (Thomas) Bartkowicz; his special friend, Carrie Widger and her children, Sarah, Alicia (fiancé Brian)and daughter Cami Dieter, and Matthew; grandchildren, Niles and Tyce Bartkowicz; siblings, Lee (Vicki) Sauter, Jean (Jerry) Schuetz, Chuck (Sharon) Shimota, Mary (Robert) Goheen and Terri (Dave) Thomas. He will also be greatly missed by special friends Jerry and Diane Ebersviller and his beloved dog, Libby. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Lynn; his parents, Alvin and Alma and his stepmother, Patricia Sauter.