Norman Sauter

Norman Sauter, 87, of Moline, IL, died Monday, December 3, 2007, after a brief illness, in Minneapolis, MN. Norman Sauter was born on April 29, 1920, to Arthur H. and Lillian (Cunningham) Sauter in St. Louis, MO. He married Reola Gibbs on April 3, 1948. She preceded him in death on October 10, 1975. He then married Janet Swanson-Minot on May 28, 1977, in Rock Island, IL. Valedictorian of his class at Cleveland High School (St. Louis), he earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (with honors) from Washington University (St. Louis). To fund his college education, he led a popular big band, the Norm Sauter Orchestra. He was employed as a Senior Scientist for Deere & Company in Moline, IL, retiring in 1984 after 34 years. In August 1979, Norm presented a demonstration to President Jimmy Carter when the President and First Lady came to Moline to attend a briefing on the Bio-Mass Converters and the Deere & Company Energy Program. From 1975 to 1985, Norm served as the Alderman for Moline's 4th Ward. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Rock Island. Visitation will be held Friday, December 7th, from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. and from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline. Services will be held on Saturday, December 8th, at 10:00 A.M. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Rock Island. Inurnment will in Davenport Memorial Park in Davenport, IA. Memorials may be made to The Saint Francis Academy, 509 East Elm Street, Salina, Kansas 67402. Survivors include: his wife: Janet; two sons and their wives: Douglas & Mary Sauter of Plymouth, MN and Michael & Ruth Ann Sauter of Port Washington, NY; daughters: Helene Minot and husband Greg Shorr, and Tania Minot, both of Albuquerque, NM; three granddaughters: Sheryl Morano of Durham, NC., Annalise Sauter of Plymouth, MN and Nina Hamid of Albuquerque, NM; four grandsons: Ryan Sauter of Winston-Salem, NC, Ezra Sauter of Minneapolis, MN, Eric Sauter of Plymouth, MN, and Omar Hamid of Albuquerque, NM; and one great-grandson: Peter Morano of Durham, NC.