James Saffert

There will be a Parish Prayer service on Friday at the church at 6:30 PM. James 'Midge' John Saffert was born to Ed and Barbara (Straumann) Saffert on March 1, 1935, in Leavenworth, MN. He served with the U.S. Army from 1955-57 where he was stationed in Alaska. Midge was united in marriage to Sylvia Jenkins on September 21, 1963, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield. To this union were born seven children. Midge worked at the Springfield Co-op Creamery for 10 years as a milk hauler, Sanborn Manufacturing for 20 years as a trucker and loading supervisor, Flandreau State Park as a caretaker, A.C.O. Brick Tile Co. as a forklift driver, and Springfield Milling Company as a laborer. He semi-retired in 1998 and continued to work at RC Sports Bar as a cook. Midge was a member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church and John Watson American Legion Post #257. He enjoyed following the Springfield Tigers and was especially proud of his children's accomplishments. James 'Midge' Saffert died Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at the Springfield Medical Center at the age of 74. Midge is survived by his children - Rod of Lake in the Hills, IL, Scott of Richfield, Jody of Minneapolis, Tony of Richfield, and Jenny of Brookings, SD; grandchildren - Haley and Presley; brother - Eddie (JoAnne) Saffert, Sr. of New Ulm; sisters - Mary Ann (Dennis) Nelson of Winthrop, Theresa (Duane) Wilhelmi of Sleepy Eye; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter - Maria in 1980; son - Jim, Jr. in 2004; niece - Shari Saffert; and nephew Ricky Nelson.