Jack Sautter, age 85 of Townsend

Obituary of Jack Sautter (Lived from April 6^th, 1930 to January 23^rd, 2016)

On April 6, 1930, Jack Sautter was born in the Milwaukee Railroad town of Piedmont, Mt. to Benjamin (Shorty) and Eliza Sautter. At age 6, Jack moved to Townsend, Mt. where his Dad (Shorty) bought the Rex Theatre and Jack began school at Cecelia Hazelton grade school. Soon thereafter, Jack enjoyed fishing and hunting with his Dad and playing baseball in the back yard. At age 15, Jack became a Broadwater Bulldog avidly playing football and basketball and lettering in B Club. All topped of by singing in Chorus.  What a Voice!!   Finishing high school in 1948, Jack attended Bozeman University and then in short order followed his passion for baseball. In 1951, Jack was drafted by the York, Pa. White Roses professional baseball team as a pitcher. Jack (aka Hollywood) pitched his first professional win on May 15, 1951.  In 1952, with the help of Tom Kieckbusch and Lucy Lemon, Jack met the red headed Canadian, known as Doreen McIntosh. Shortly thereafter (Oct 1, 1953), Jack married Doreen Margaret McIntosh (a young nurse at Broadwater Hospital). Jack continued working at the Rex Theatre and Broadwater Courthouse.

The years that followed would bring four children: Gregg (1954), Susan (1956), Jackie (1959) and John (1961). Jack’s family would now be taught firsthand the humble commitment to God, family, friends, community and work ethic.

Jack’s commitments to Community were substantial and lasting Church, weddings, funerals, little league baseball, schools, fire department, ski area, lakes and streams, cemetery and Indian Creek pond to name a few. All with the help of his many dedicated friends!  So many and too much time passed to name all (Jack thanks you).

Complementing the above was a passion and respect for baseball, hunting, fishing, camping, skiing, horse racing, and of course “Singing”. If not busy enough, in 1955, Jack completed Red Cross Lifeguard training in the cold waters of Couer D’Alene Lake. Soon, Jack began teaching local children to swim in the Missouri river (a half mile down stream from his current home). If not working at the Rex Theatre, the Court house, swim instruction and now part time rural postal carrier wasn’t enough, Jack always made time for family and friends to hunt elk, deer and blue grouse on Grassy Mountain (The Lone Tree, Saltlick 13, Buck Pass). The Missouri River, Deep Creek and Sixteen Mile delivered rainbows on a yellow fizzle and rattlesnakes for all. The 1950’s gave Jack and brother Bud the Copper League Baseball clubs. Baseball at its best!  Jack’s team (Earl, Dave & others) the “Helena Wranglers” win the league in 1958. During the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, Jack coached his sons and hundreds of others in baseball and his daughters in basketball and track. Jack, himself, avidly continued playing softball and basketball in the local leagues into his late fifty’s.

The mid 1980tys brings retirement, the sale of the Rex Theatre, more commitment to God, family and community and of course hunting, fishing and travel. Jack sang for some 200 funerals, weddings and anniversaries.

In his age 80’s: Jack’s commitment to his wife, Doreen, was paramount as well as his pride in his property and yard. At age 85, with the undiagnosed cancer wearing, Jack cared 24/7 for his ailing wife and cleared snow one week before his passing.

Thru Jack’s life and career these were some of the community services he was involved with. Jack was a member of the Townsend School Board: 12 Years (updated the track and football field and new player equipment), involved with and was a Little League Baseball Coach for 20 years, Grassy Mountain Ski Founder (with Tony, Glenn, Ray, Cactus and many others), served on the Lake and Stream Committee, the Deep Creek Cemetery Board. He was also involved with the Rural Fire Department for 20 years and the U.S. Ski Patrol.

Some of the honors Jack received were the Distinguished Service Award by Broadwater Jaycees, Special Achievement Award (1983) by United States Postal Service, Twenty Years of Dedicated Service by Townsend Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Service Training (1974) by Montana State Board of Education, Association of Professional Baseball Players of America (Life Member), Helena Sports Hall of Fame, (Inducted 2015), Montana Officials Association Football Referee (1956 – 1971).

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Eliza Sautter; brothers, Gene and Bud Sautter; sister, Shirley Diamond; sister-in-law, Jeannie Sautter, brother-in-law, Jack Diamond; niece3s, Debbie Sautter, and Renee Rodgers-Garrett and nephew, Daniel (Boone) Davy.

Jack is survived by his wife, Doreen Sautter, of Townsend; sons, Gregg (Karen) Sautter,and John Sautter; daughters, Susan (Gary) Ritter and Jackie Ruple; grandchildren, Jade, Kyla, Ashlyn, Carson, Jeffrey, Danielle and Drew Savage, Casey and Kelly; great grandchildren, Ellie and Riley; sister-in-law Shirley Sautter; niece, Cheryl (Dick) Garrett, Janice (Dan) Stokes, Sheri Sautter, Darla Sautter; nephew, Don Sautter, Steve (Jean) Sautter, Ben (Helen) Sautter and Karen (Bill) Scheler.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 5, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Townsend. A memorial service celebrating Jack’s life will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church in Townsend. A reception will follow in the social center of the church. Interment will take place at Deep Creek Cemetery approximately 3:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Deep Creek Cemetery Association, Townsend Little League Baseball Program, or to the Townsend Volunteer Fire Department.

Service Schedule

Family Receiving Friends

4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Friday February 5, 2016

Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

212 Broadway Street

Townsend, Montana 59644

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Memorial Service

1:00 p.m.

Saturday February 6, 2016

Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church

20 Trailhead Drive

Townsend, Montana 59644

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Reception

Immediately following the memorial service

Saturday February 6, 2016

Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church

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Burial

Approximately 3:30 p.m.

Saturday February 6, 2016

Deep Creek Cemetery

Townsend, Montana 59644

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