Individual Details
Saralda Sophia Korf
(December 29, 1915 - February 23, 2008)
Saralda Sophie (Korf) Nathe, 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday, February 23, at the local Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home. After years of dealing with heart disease and diabetes, she was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Saralda was born on the family dairy farm in Greenwald, MN, December 29, 1915, the third oldest of eleven children. Along with her siblings, she was born in the parents' upstairs bedroom near the log cabin where her father was born. Gerhard and Mathilda (Beste) Korf raised their family by instilling a strong work ethic, while being actively involved in church, community affairs and politics. These values and responsibilities were passed on to all of their children.
Saralda lived with her maternal grandparents, the Bestes, in Freeport, MN during her first school years going to Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School. The Beste grandparents were some of the first people in the area to get a radio. She "jumped" third grade meaning she was promoted from second to fourth because of outstanding achievement. Fifth through eighth grade was at Public School #61 where her father was chairman of the school board. It was a 2 1/2 mile walk to school while quite frequently dodging the neighbor's dairy bulls.
Saralda married Michael H. "Mike" Nathe in May of 1936 in Greenwald, Minnesota. She ventured west with Mike, arriving by train in Whitetail, MT with $17.23 in hand. Not speaking German to the local folks was the first of many adjustments for Saralda. In western Stearns County, Minnesota, the church and social affairs centered around music and Michael Nathe played the accordion in the Nathe Orchestra. The Nathe Orchestra consisted of Mike & his older brothers. Together Mike and Saralda rented and farmed two different places: the Joe Lukovitz place and the Jack Burke place, both near the former Wolf Creek Hall.
The "Dirty Thirties" were difficult with voracious grasshoppers, massive army worms, relentless and sandy winds. Work on the WPA helped supplement income. By 1943, they bought the Aslakson place 2½ miles south of Redstone. That farming and ranching operation is known today as Nathe Ranch, specifically the Five Bar Diamond.
Like her parents, Saralda was active in church, community affairs and politics. Involvement included 4-Star 4-H Club, Wolf Creek Club, Home Demonstration, Cow Belles, Mental Health Association, Sheridan Hospital and Nursing Home Auxiliary, Altar Society, American Legion Auxiliary, Republican Women, WIFE, American Red Cross, Combined Fund Drive, Blood Drive, Memorial Heart and Gold Star Mothers.
In 1973, she was Montana Mother of the Year. A newspaper at that time said, "She can pull a calf, drive a tractor and set up a tea of home-made goodies." She was a life long community volunteer and had a well-deserved reputation as a humanitarian. Many groups benefitted from her time, energy, hard work and dedication. Lending a hand to others was just part of her kind and generous heart. Finding the good in people was her natural approach.
She leaves behind her daughter-in-law, Della (Dennis) Nathe of Plentywood; sons Gerry (Pat) Nathe of Virginia, Kent (Jeanne) of Redstone, Craig Nathe of CA, and daughter Diane (John) Larkins of CA.
There are eleven grandchildren, all of whom recently rushed to visit their Grandma while she could communicate. They are: Alycia Nathe, Big Timber; Michael (Kim) Nathe, Redstone; Lisa (Jim) Nutt, ID; Lauren (Chris Chiacchierini) Nathe, OR; Anne(Eric) Spitz, MA; Joshua (Jenny) Larkins, CA; Michael (Valerie) Larkins, CA; Rachele' (Karl) Klein, ID; Sherry (Bill McAndrews) Larkins, CA; Judd Nathe, WA and Tara Nathe, ND. Saralda had 16 great-grandchildren. Number 17 is due now and number 18 is due in June, 2008!
Saralda was preceded in death by her parents, Gerhard and Mathilda Korf, seven brothers, five sisters-in law, two brothers-in-law, her husband who lived in her heart, Mike, her infant son Duane, her son, 1st Lieutenant Michael Nathe and her son Senator Dennis Nathe.
Visitation and rosary will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Friday, February 29 at 7:00 p.m. A celebration mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1 at St. Joseph's Church.
Saralda was born on the family dairy farm in Greenwald, MN, December 29, 1915, the third oldest of eleven children. Along with her siblings, she was born in the parents' upstairs bedroom near the log cabin where her father was born. Gerhard and Mathilda (Beste) Korf raised their family by instilling a strong work ethic, while being actively involved in church, community affairs and politics. These values and responsibilities were passed on to all of their children.
Saralda lived with her maternal grandparents, the Bestes, in Freeport, MN during her first school years going to Sacred Heart Catholic Grade School. The Beste grandparents were some of the first people in the area to get a radio. She "jumped" third grade meaning she was promoted from second to fourth because of outstanding achievement. Fifth through eighth grade was at Public School #61 where her father was chairman of the school board. It was a 2 1/2 mile walk to school while quite frequently dodging the neighbor's dairy bulls.
Saralda married Michael H. "Mike" Nathe in May of 1936 in Greenwald, Minnesota. She ventured west with Mike, arriving by train in Whitetail, MT with $17.23 in hand. Not speaking German to the local folks was the first of many adjustments for Saralda. In western Stearns County, Minnesota, the church and social affairs centered around music and Michael Nathe played the accordion in the Nathe Orchestra. The Nathe Orchestra consisted of Mike & his older brothers. Together Mike and Saralda rented and farmed two different places: the Joe Lukovitz place and the Jack Burke place, both near the former Wolf Creek Hall.
The "Dirty Thirties" were difficult with voracious grasshoppers, massive army worms, relentless and sandy winds. Work on the WPA helped supplement income. By 1943, they bought the Aslakson place 2½ miles south of Redstone. That farming and ranching operation is known today as Nathe Ranch, specifically the Five Bar Diamond.
Like her parents, Saralda was active in church, community affairs and politics. Involvement included 4-Star 4-H Club, Wolf Creek Club, Home Demonstration, Cow Belles, Mental Health Association, Sheridan Hospital and Nursing Home Auxiliary, Altar Society, American Legion Auxiliary, Republican Women, WIFE, American Red Cross, Combined Fund Drive, Blood Drive, Memorial Heart and Gold Star Mothers.
In 1973, she was Montana Mother of the Year. A newspaper at that time said, "She can pull a calf, drive a tractor and set up a tea of home-made goodies." She was a life long community volunteer and had a well-deserved reputation as a humanitarian. Many groups benefitted from her time, energy, hard work and dedication. Lending a hand to others was just part of her kind and generous heart. Finding the good in people was her natural approach.
She leaves behind her daughter-in-law, Della (Dennis) Nathe of Plentywood; sons Gerry (Pat) Nathe of Virginia, Kent (Jeanne) of Redstone, Craig Nathe of CA, and daughter Diane (John) Larkins of CA.
There are eleven grandchildren, all of whom recently rushed to visit their Grandma while she could communicate. They are: Alycia Nathe, Big Timber; Michael (Kim) Nathe, Redstone; Lisa (Jim) Nutt, ID; Lauren (Chris Chiacchierini) Nathe, OR; Anne(Eric) Spitz, MA; Joshua (Jenny) Larkins, CA; Michael (Valerie) Larkins, CA; Rachele' (Karl) Klein, ID; Sherry (Bill McAndrews) Larkins, CA; Judd Nathe, WA and Tara Nathe, ND. Saralda had 16 great-grandchildren. Number 17 is due now and number 18 is due in June, 2008!
Saralda was preceded in death by her parents, Gerhard and Mathilda Korf, seven brothers, five sisters-in law, two brothers-in-law, her husband who lived in her heart, Mike, her infant son Duane, her son, 1st Lieutenant Michael Nathe and her son Senator Dennis Nathe.
Visitation and rosary will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Friday, February 29 at 7:00 p.m. A celebration mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1 at St. Joseph's Church.
Events
| Birth | December 29, 1915 | Greenwald, Stearns, Minnesota, USA | |||
| Death | February 23, 2008 | 59254 Plentywood, Sheridan Co., MT |
Families
| Spouse | Michael Henry Nathe (1911 - 1967) |
| Child | Craig Donovan Nathe |
| Child | Dennis Gerard Nathe (1938 - 1993) |
| Child | Gerard Alvida Nathe |
| Child | Diane Regina Nathe |
| Child | Michael Leo (1LT) Nathe (1944 - 1968) |
| Child | Kent Edward Nathe (1948 - 2008) |