Walter Sarauer 

Walter was born April 23, 1930, the youngest of ten children of John W. and Mary Sarauer. 

"The thirtie s were great years," says Walter, "several of which I spent in the arms of another man's wife." This brief jibe summarizes one side of Walter 's personality, a joy of living and a ready quip and smile for even the darkest clouds. 

Walter attended Schuler School and had teachers: Marie Vanderlinde, (Mrs. Arnold Dauk) ; Caroline Hof- mann, (Mrs . Ben Knittig); Cecilia Zens, (Mrs . I.R. Pool), Vernon, British Columbia; and Maitin Politeski. He spent the years between 1944 and 1948 at St . peter's College, and though he was only 12 miles from home he got to visit at home only at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter . 

During his college days at St. Peter's, Walter played hockey with the St. Peter's Blue Jays. He later played with Muenster, first as goalie and later as a defenseman. He recalls being chosen All-Star goalie for the league. Not many years ago Walter continued to enjoy the game playing in the old-timer league for Annaheim. 

Even today he will put on his skates and be ready to play with even the smallest amount of coax- ing. 

After graduating from grade 12 he went to work at Gasser's Drug Store in Humboldt for six months at the minimum wage of $18.50 per week, gross . Farm life appealed to him very much. He spent several winters at brother Art's farm where he learned to milk cows Peter Sarauer and son Kenn e th . and feed pigs . He didn't mind the work and the meals were excellent. 

On December 1, 1950 Wally started farming the S ½ of 27 -38-21 W and when his brotherin-law Ed Rieder moved to British Columbia . 

After six month s of batching and begging here and there for a good meal he married Laura Ramler on June 19 , 1951. 

Laura, a Lake Lenore lassie was born October 8, 1928 to Anton and Clara Ramler . She attended Solo School but du e to illne ss was absent much of th e time. She worked out as a hired girl , but she stayed at home mostly to help Mom. It was here that she learned how to cook food fit for a king.

When children were added to the household she was a natural for taking care of them . 

Laura and Wally had seven children . 

1. Willard, born April 16, 1952; he married Ruth Fleischhacker of Pilger May 11 , 1974. The y live in Humboldt wh ere Willard works as assistant parts man at Hergott I.H .C. Walter Sarauer Family - back row (L to R) - Ric ky , Willard , Carol, Laura and Walter, James; front - Annette, MaryLu, Rodney - 25th W edding Anniversary. Farm Equipment. They have a daughter, Pamela, and a son Clayton. 

2.  James, was born March 31 , 1955. He is employed by the Cooperators and lives in Winnipeg. He married Debbie Evans of Bangor, Saskat-chewan, on August 4, 1979. 

3. Carol was born September 24, 1956. On July 27, 1974 she married David Ebert. They reside at Bradwell, Saskatchewan from which David commutes to work in Saskatoon at the Association for Crippled Children and Adults. 

4. Eric, "Rickie" born February 1, 1961, is staying at home while attending his first year in university at St. Peter's College. 

5. Annette, born March 10, 1965, 

6. Rodney, born October 29, 1968, and 

7. Mary Lu, born October 20, 1970, are living at home and going to school in Annaheim. 

As noted earlier, Laura is an excellent homemaker, and as one of the children once said, "She is always there when we need her." And, as son-in-law David once said, "She's the best cook in the country." 

In the last few years as the children are more able to take care of themselves and each other, Laura has been more ac- tive in community affairs such as the Catholic Women's League of which she is a charter member. Being the wife of a very active man who is involved in community affairs, Laura has been most patient in waiting for him to return. In the last few years, though, she has been more and more able to participate with Wally where ever he feels he can do the most for most people. 

One of the anxious moments shared by Laura and Walter occurred in late February of 1965. No words can fully explain the anxiety of a couple caught in the midst of a blinding snow storm, while the four oldest children were sleeping in the back seat and a fifth child, Annette, due in a few weeks. With the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit and bits of grass on each side of the road, and the odd glimpse of the powerlines along Highway 368, they arrived home safely. 

Walter has always been a willing worker. Besides doing his farm chores in the barn and growing field crops, 

Wally finds time to serve his communities tirelessly. 

• He was director of the Annaheim Telephone Company for 25 years from 1952 to 1977. 

• He was director on the Muenster Co-op board for 9 years, and for 8 years on the Humboldt Co-op board. 

• He has served on the Knights of Columbus in various capacities; 

• he held the offices of Presiding Knight and Recorder of the Annaheim sub-council when it was still affiliated with the Humboldt Council. 

• When St. Peter's (Annaheim) Council was formed on March 31, 1966, he became its first Grand Knight. For eight years after his term as Grand Knight he served as the Financial Secretary. 

• During two of these eight years he was also District Deputy. This latter position required much travel, not only to every city in Saskatchewan, but in 1971 he and Laura attended the Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus held in New York City.
  Yet, the most memorable event, as Wally sees it, was the hosting of the major degrees in Annaheim on October 20, 1974. Bishop Mahoney was guest speaker at the banquet and his words were very impressive. 

The preparation and presentation of some seven, nearly annual, Variety Shows, bring back some of the most memorable and exciting moments. These Shows grew out of discussion in the Annaheim Male Choir, and the hosting of some Amateur Hours by the C. W. L. A group of some six or seven 'idea men' such as Clarence Ehalt, Ted Doepker, Francis Doepker, Ted Kunz, Simon Lizee, and Wally got together to organize these two-hour, non-stop stage presentations. 

As it turned out it was "Sunshine", Clarence, and Emcee Wally, that became the biggest drawing cards, not to draw away any due acclamation to every well-rehearsed skit and song on the programs.
Emcee Wally was the 'catalyst' that drew Sunshine into the limelight of song and laughter.
Out of these Variety Shows there evolved a trio who were invited to entertain on various occasions: at Wheat Pool meetings, at Credit Union annual meetings, and the like.
Emcee Wally, Sunshine, and guitar man Simon rehearsed several half-hour pro- grams and toured the villages and towns when invited.
These presentations were ever-entertaining. The punch lines and laughing songs seem to become more enjoyable to the trio and their wives Laura, Ann, and Margery.
The wives said they laughed harder at each retelling of the jokes or stories or songs.
When Clarence was killed in an accident in 1967 the 'sunshine' really fell, and his loss was felt ever so acutely by emcee, guitarist, and the wives, a loss of an unexpressible kind. (A brief account of one such 'evening' in Middle Lake at a Credit Union annual meeting is recalled by the guitarist who acted in second capacity as make-up man. 

It appears, along with some of the songs the three so much enjoyed, following Wally's story, where it most fittingly belongs.) "If I draw a circle around my farm, I find twenty neighbors within a 2½ mile radius. Six farmsteads have been vacated in the last 25 years. 

Our most valuable asset over the years have been good neighbors. There have been wood sawing, butchering, building and quilting bees, harvesting, haying and harvesting potatoes together, and countless miles made in transporting the children to school, sporting events, 4-H and other meetings. 

Thank you good neighbors." "I believe," says Wally, "that mixed farming is ideal for raising a family. 

And, on this farm, the Saracres Holsteins provide year 'round activity and income." 

"This is God's country and His presence is evident everywhere: in the new life in spring, in the thunderstorms of summer, in the golden harvest and in the cold frosts of winter. The peace and quiet of the early morning, the beautiful sunsets, the awesome northern lights are all ours to cherish and enjoy. 

Surely, the best things in life are free."