Frankie Van Saathoff

Frankie Van Saathoff of Cozad passed away Friday, May 12, 2023 at his home at the age of 92. Frank was born in Kansas City, Missouri on September 16, 1930 to Ralph Edward and Opal Gussie (Barksdale) Saathoff. He joined an older brother Fredie Edward and later a younger brother Johnny Ralph Saathoff. Frank graduated from Ogallala High School in 1950. He was a member of the National Guard and attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri. On January 30, 1951, Frank married Patricia Ann Ruser in Springfield, Illinois. To this union, one daughter was born, Pamela Ann Cole Milligan. Along with his father Ralph and brother Fred, Frank was a co-owner of Stone Products Rock Quarries near Weeping Water, Nebraska. While on the job in July of 1958, Frank was seriously injured in a car and farm truck accident. He was transported to hospitals in Omaha, Lincoln and later to Hastings, Nebraska. When South Central Development Services opened in the early 1970’s in Cozad, he was one of the first residents. Frank was preceded in death by his wife Pat; his mother Opal; step mother; father Ralph; brothers Fred and John Saathoff; son-in-law Robb Cole; and grandson Jess Cole. He is survived by his daughter Pam and her husband Michael Milligan; granddaughter Ann Cole Chesley and her husband Mike Chesley; and great granddaughters Jodean and Sadie. Memorials are suggested to South Central Development Services. A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) at the Ogallala Cemetery, next to his mother. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2:30 p.m. (Central Time) at South Central Development Services.