Russel Edgar Sackreiter
COLUMBIA — Russel Edgar Sackreiter of Columbia died Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. He was 90.
"I was so blessed to have been married to a man like Russel," said Guy-Marie Sackreiter, his wife. "He was a fantastic man. Smart. Energetic. A great leader and natural historian."
Mr. Sackreiter was born Aug. 25, 1919, in Montevideo, Minn., to Edgar W. and Floy (Butler) Sackreiter. He grew up in Rochester, Minn.
"He always described himself as just a German from Minnesota," son-in-law Bill Haws said.
Mr. Sackreiter attended Iowa State Teachers College prior to moving to San Diego, Calif., where he worked at Consolidated Aircraft Corp. until he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Oct. 5, 1942.
During World War II he flew in B-24 heavy bombers as a waist gunner in Europe. He remained in the Air Force until he retired on Oct. 1, 1972, with the rank of Master Sergeant.
On March 16, 1946, Mr. Sackreiter married LeOna Elaine DeWalk in Youngstown, Ohio. She died earlier.
He served on ROTC duty at MU from 1961 to 1966. Mr. Sackreiter also was a life-long member of the Methodist Church and a longtime member of the Community United Methodist Church in Columbia.
He was a life member of the The Mayflower Society, a group of descendants of people who sailed to America on the Mayflower, and he was a member of the R. Graham Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
He married Guy-Marie (Frakes) Sackreiter on Nov. 15, 2004.
Mr. Sackreiter is survived by his wife; a daughter, Amorette Haws; a son, Russ Sackreiter Jr.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and the sons and grandchildren of Guy-Marie.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 W.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community United Methodist Church, 3301 W. Broadway in Columbia. Online condolences for the family may be left at parkerfuneralservice.com.
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