William Leffdus Santjer Jr.
April 4, 1920 - December 5, 2010
Obituary
William Bill L. Santjer
Passed on to God, Sunday December 5th, 2010 – Auburn Regional Medical Center, Auburn, Washington.
Wife, Della Santjer passed on to God September 2nd 2006.
Surviving children are Dorothy, Deloris, Francis, William D. and Delbert.
Surviving siblings are Lester and Albert.
Departed siblings are Hattie, Hilda and Arnold.
Bill was born Monday April 4th, 1920 in Bejou, Minnesota County of Mahnomen to William and Anna Santjer. Bill was third oldest of two sisters and three brothers. Bill and his siblings worked and played hard on their family’s farm, making a living and a life.
Bill met his future wife, at the time, Della Carver, at a local gathering near Bejou, Minnesota, where they fell in love and subsequently, started their family together. They moved their family and home to Washington State, where Bill made a living driving semi-trucks and tow trucks while Della worked and made a home together. Bill later changed his career and became a Greyhound bus driver and was very good at it, retiring after 25 years with a perfect driving record.
Bill has always been a hard working, thoughtful, caring and giving person. If you ever were in need of a helping hand, you know you could count on Bill and his wife to drop everything and take care of your needs immediately.
Bill has left us now and has gone to join his wife Della, loved ones and friends that left before him. He will be missed dearly, but rest assured that he is comfortable and at peace. His memory will live on with us, in our mind, heart and soul, as a good and caring person who will be missed here on earth.
Bill hopes for love and peace to you all.
Thank you for your love and friendship.
William L. Santjer
My uncle Bill married to Della, my mother Myrtle’s sister visited our home in ND many times as I was growing up. I also traveled to Bill and Della’s home in WA. Bill was fun-loving! My mother and I drove with him to Anacortes, WA on a bus trip one time. He was a good driver and we enjoyed that trip so much! I will pray for the family in this time of loss. May God provide comfort and peace in knowing Bill is joining Della!
Mr. Santjer was my friend Del’s dad. He had a strong personality. He gave me a hard time once or twice, but I always saw the good humor in his eyes. I will miss him. My condolences to all the Santjer family.
Bill’s Loving Family & Dear Friends:
May your wonderful and happy memories sustain you and comfort you in the loss of your dear Bill.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Bev
Carver genealogist & descendant of Fred Carver & Hansena Larsen
Our love and heartfelt sympathy go out to the Santjer family. Grandpa Bill is now with Grandma Della at her side holding her hand. It is so nice to know that we reunite again in heaven.
Kohl, Rylee, Lani and Rock
Dear Santjer family,
I have fond memories of Bill and Della and know how much they meant to each other for over 65 years. I also know that they had a deep faith in the Lord and the promise of being together with Him for eternity. That faith has been passed on to each of you and will bring you much peace in the coming days. Just know that Bill is in the Lord’s presence enjoying life again with the love of his life. His memory and love will be with each of you and may you trust in the same Lord for comfort, peace, joy and eternal life. We are all praying for you and thinking of all the great times I have been able to share with your family. Pastor Rob
Dorothy, Delores, Frances, William and Delbert – You had a wonderful father and mother. When Bill and Della came back to MN to visit family/friends, their visits were always enjoyable. The last time I talked to Bill, he was driving in a yellow sports car at a local gas stop. We had a nice conversation. Bill and Della will always be missed by us all.
Sincerely,
Larry Benson
To the family of Bill Santjer:
Bill and Della will always be missed by us all. The last time we got together was at the airport.
Sincerely,
Mike and Colleen Anda
Dorothy, Delores, Frances, William and Delbert –
I have always enjoyed Bill and Della’s visits. The get-togethers at Myrtle’s were such fun. Bill and Della will always be missed.
Sincerely,
Joanne Anda
to my dad i will miss you much. i will take real good care of your dog, chico. i will always remember the school bus shelters you would always build for us kids,complete with window and door. you always had loving ways for your family. you are at peace now and with mom again. i will always love you. god bless you and all of us. your daughter, frances.
Grandpa Bill-
We love you so much and wish you were still here to make more memories together but we are so happy for you that you are reunited with grandma, we love the both of you so very much, we will be reunited once its our time and make more memories : tell grandma hi! you both are missed dearly. We Love You!
Bill was always kind to me, He accepted me for who I was, He and Della made me feel like family.
To all the Santjers,
So sorry to learn of your dad’s death. We all loved Uncle Bill and thought it was great that he and Aunt Della came so often to visit and to stay in touch. He did have some tales of his bus-driving years to share!! He was so sweet and loving to Aunt Della–I loved witnessing that!!
May all your good memories come flooding in at just the right time to help you through the coming days and those of the future. God be with you all as you celebrate your dad’s life!! We shall be there in thought and prayers.
Lovingly in Christ who is life,
Darlene and Gary and family—John and Michael and their family
My condolences the Santjer family
Dear Dorothy , Bill Jr , Delores ,
Fran and Del
I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad . I have so many fond memories of spending time with him and your Mom . I will never forget how they came to help me after both my Dad and Mom passed away . Uncle Bill will always have a special place in my heart as you all do .
Much love , Debbie
Cousins and family of Uncle Bill,
I so enjoyed Aunt Della and Uncle Bill and how they traveled to ND to visit and help in any given situation. They were a favorite Aunt and Uncle of mine! God bless you all at this time.
Sincerely and with love,
Carole Hulm
Del, Linda & Family:
My condolences on the passing of your father. May the memories you hold in your heart bring you comfort during this difficult time.
You’re in our thoughts & prayers –
Kris & Rob
We have so many fond memories of Uncle Bill and his trips to Minnesota – he and Aunt Della made it to so many of our special family events. Our daughter Sara thought Uncle Bill was the greatest because when Sara went with Grandma Evelyn to Seattle at around age 10 Bill took her to a special place to find a halter for the horses at the Palm farm. Vic enjoyed fishing with Bill and always talks about the time Bill brought his houseboat to Minnesota. No one had ever seen a boat like that on that particular lake so it was quite the conversation piece. They also had quite a time launching it! Bill was a great guy and we will miss him.
Dear Grandpa im sad that you have passed on, but i know that you are with grandma and that is what you wanted most in life so that comforts me to know you are were you wanted to be most of all. You will be miss by all of us, but as long as your happy and not in pain anymore love you lots say hi to grandma for us all love and miss you both so very much. We will see you when its our time. Lots of love, Tracy, Donny and Joey
Bill was one of my Grandpa Arnold’s brothers. We always called him Uncle Bill! He was always a very happy loving man. I will miss his smile the most! Every time I saw Uncle Bill he was always laughing which was soooooo contagious. As everyone can attest he was an amazing man that could always fill a room with sunshine and happiness! He was a great blessing given to us all by our heavenly father! I know he was a blessing to me! My condolences and thoughts are with you all during this sad time. But don’t be sad Uncle Bill is happy and free of any pain or sadness! He is reunited with his Heavenly Father, his beautiful Wife, Parents, sisters, friends and I know he is there with my Grandpa laughing up old times! There is so much to be thankful for even though it costs us sadness. God bless you all from Florida!
I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was a special uncle to me. I remember so well when Della and Bill would visit our farm by Bejou. Whenever they came, we always had so much fun, playing cards and just visiting. I always enjoyed their visits. Also, I remember how well they treated me when I visited them. Bill took me sightseeing, showing me all the places I had heard about, including the Space Needle. He was a great host who was so good to me during my visit. He will be missed by our family.
Please accept our sincere sympathy; we were so sad to learn of Bill’s passing. Our family, Evelyn’s family, so enjoyed Bill and Della’s visits to our farm by Bejou. They were both such caring and compassionate people. Who wouldn’t enjoy their visits? Uncle Bill was such a great conversationalist and would tell us stories about things he remembered, and Della would quietly add her comments and her soft giggle to his stories. Bill’s physical presence and voice seemed to compel respect from others, and he often used those qualities to help others. We remember hearing how he stopped an older Bejou gentleman from harrassing our mom, Evelyn. We also remember hearing how he interrupted and stopped a college party that was happening in a house next to Aunt Myrtle’s house in Fargo,ND. We will miss Uncle Bill, a special uncle whom we loved and respected. He was truly a “good” man. -Joyce, Judy, Jean, Diane, Vicky, and Patty
Grandpa you are the “BEST” I will miss you forever!!! Tell Grandma I said hi and I love her to as well. I will never forget you, you will always have a special place in my heart. I’m glad to have had the “Best Grandparents ever” I would heave never changed anything!!!!! Love ya, Terri, Levi & Crystal
dear dad i am sorry you left us but you were so unhappy and missing mom that that’s what you keep hoping for you are now both together and out of pain and not being lonesome any more. i am so glad that i got to have such great parents. i will miss you dearly but will have you in my heart forever. love you dorothy
Grandpa i will miss you! Thank you for being my grandpa and thanks for all the sleepovers that you and grandma let me share with you. Please tell Grandma I said hi and I love you both!! Thanks for being my Great Grandparents!! I love you. Love Crystal
I am so sorry to hear of your father’s death. The memory I would like to share happened 10+ years ago. My mom, Evelyn, was in a nursing home in Fargo, and Bill came to visit her. He was so kind and gracious to my mom. He stayed all afternoon, telling stories about Bejou, a town he knew so well! He had such an ability to tell a story-enriching it with numerous and specific details. I especially remember that he told with lovehow he had met Della and how he knew she was the one for him.It was an afternoon of great stories and great friendship. Bill was a man who could brighten any day with his stories. I thank him for that afternoon and also for all the other good memories I have of him. Your father will be missed. May the good memories of your dad sustain you during this difficult time. Diane Kahl
Hey Grandpa we will miss you. We love you!! Love Levi & Butch
Your Grandson and Great Grandson
Dorothy, Delores, Frances, Bill Jr., and Del and all of the Santjer family,
My prayers go out for the loss of your dad that you are going through. I know how he missed his wife, Della for all of the last four years. I rejoice with you in knowing that he is once again with her.
I can attest to the many times both of your folks would drop anything and go to help out where a need was. One example of the love that they put forth would be of the time that they made the journey to my mom’s and did all of the cooking and preparing for a “mini reunion” when Gladys was visiting for her final visit to Fargo in 2000. They were always offering help. Their love was unique, and the sharing of that love will be forever missed by all that were helped by their kindness.
I will never forget their presence at my mom’s funeral in 2005. The visit my sister and I had with them afterwards and our lunch will always be cherished moments.
May Our Lord fill you with His peace and comfort.
Dorothy,
We were very sorry to hear that your Dad passed away, but are happy that he lived a long life with his wife, you, and your bothers and sisters. He will be missed by all! We are glad that we had the opportunity to visit him the last few years with you and Gary. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Mike and Rose Marie
Father, you have always been there for me, going out of your way to help, I don’t know where you found the time and strength to give so much to so many. I am proud that you are my father and happy that you are at rest with your wife that you have missed and think of so much for the last four years after she passed.
I will remember you always.
In loving memory, your son Del and Linda Santjer.