Obituary: Ruth "Anita (Conlin) Saeman - Class of 1938

CROSS PLAINS - Ruth "Anita" Saeman, age 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at the Ingleside Nursing Home in Mount Horeb. Anita was born in Madison, on Oct. 5, 1920, to John F. and Mary (Stoppleworth) Conlin. She graduated from Madison's St. Raphael's School in 1934 and from Central High School in 1938. Following graduation, Anita worked for the Milwaukee Road as a freight clerk and attended night classes at Madison Vocational School. On Sept. 13, 1947, Anita married Robert G. Saeman of Cross Plains. She moved from the city to the small town of Cross Plains, where Bob was a partner in Saeman Lumber. Anita continued working until the arrival of the first of their four children. Together, Bob and Anita raised, Robert F. of Cross Plains, Richard (Peggy) of Mazomanie, Rita (John) Librera of Brookfield and Raymond (Barbara) of Cross Plains. Anita was an active member of the following community organizations; St. Francis Xavier Christian Mothers, 4-H Club, Friends of the Cross Plains Public Library and the American Legion Post 245 Auxiliary. Anita's pastime was writing, including notes to people in hospitals and nursing homes. She also wrote letters to her children's friends who were in the armed services during the Vietnam War. For more than 30 years, on behalf of the Legion Auxiliary, she continued writing to the Cross Plains men and women who were serving our country. In addition to her children, Anita is survived by her grandchildren, Chad (Kim) Saeman of Cross Plains, Fred (Stacy) Saeman of Randolph, Jamie (Will) Sindberg of Cross Plains, J.P. Librera of Hartland; two great-granddaughters, Ciera and Kylie Saeman and another great-grandchild on the way; her brother, Fred (Rita) Conlin, of Durand; a sister-in-law, Dottie Conlin, of Renton, Wash.; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert G. Saeman, on Jan. 25, 2006; a grandson, Bradford Saeman, on Feb. 18, 2003; her beloved brothers, John, Vernon, Charles and Thomas P. Conlin; her beloved sister, Mary "Alice" Hochstetter; and her nephews Bill and J.C. Conlin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes Street, Cross Plains, on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at 11 a.m.with Father Tom Kelley presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends may call on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. The Saeman family would like to thank the caregivers at Ingle Living Communities in Mount Horeb, where Mom and Dad lived since Sept. 2001. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cross Plains American Legion Post 245 Maintenance Endowment Fund or to HOPES (Helping Others Prevent and Educate About Suicide). Gunderson Cross Plains Funeral & Cremation Centers 2421 Church Street 608-798-3141

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 9, 2006