Peggy Saddler

Peggy May (Lanning) Saddler was born on April 28, 1933, in Clinton Township of SE Rawlins County, Kansas, at the home of her parents. She was the youngest of three children born to James Russell Lanning and Erma Arabelle (Higley) Lanning. She passed away on January 30, 2022, at the age of 88.

Peggy attended first grade at Tully rural school, second grade in Atwood, KS, and graduated from Gem High School in 1951. Her family moved to Thomas County to the Cumberland farm in the spring of 1941. She was baptized and became a member of the Gem Baptist Church on Dec 31, 1949. She later transferred membership to First Presbyterian Church, Colby in 2001.

She started dating Charles Duane Saddler when she was a junior in high school. She married Duane on September 1, 1951, at the First Baptist church in Gem, KS. They lived in Gem, Colby, and again in Gem, until 1969 when they moved to the Cumberland farm. They then moved to Colby in January of 1998. Four daughters were born to this marriage.

Peggy loved the life of a wife and mother. She enjoyed taking care of her home. She was experienced in sewing – making her own and her daughters’ clothing and making each newborn a special baby quilt. She also enjoyed embroidery and cross-stitch.

Peggy worked as secretary-bookkeeper for the Thomas County Engineer for 3 years, as Gem School Secretary for 3 years, and as a para-professional at Colby Public Schools for 2 years. She served as Trustee and was on various committees while a member of the Gem Baptist church. She served as Deacon and Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and on Session for several terms. She was also a member of Women’s Circle and several other church committees.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brother, John E. “Jack” Lanning; sister and brother-in-law, Janice Lee and Leroy Van Cleave; and her granddaughter, Tara Lindsey Giess.

She is survived by her daughters, Julie (Mike) Giess, Joy (Randall) Jansonius, both of Hays, KS; Cindy (Lloyd Jr) Cersovsky of Colby; and Sally (Michael) Graham also of Hays. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and two soon to arrive great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 515 W 4th St, Colby, KS. A visitation will follow the service in the basement of the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), the First Presbyterian Church, or to the charity of giver’s choice. These may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby KS 67701. For information or condolences you can visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.