Obituary of Glenn Saffer

Glenn Alvin Saffer, 82, of Flagler, CO passed away Saturday, March 8, 2014 after becoming ill in the first part of January with pneumonia. Glenn was born on the family farm 18 miles north of Arriba, CO on July 3, 1931 to Nathan Bunyon Saffer and Olive Magill Saffer. He was the seventh child and sixth son born the Nathan and Olive. Glenn always joked that he was the runt of the family and that he survived on chicken wings. Being the youngest on the Saffer farm left many opportunities for fun and mischief to occur. Even though his older brothers pulled many pranks on Glenn, he was able to get even by being a stowaway on a couple of his older brothers’ dates. Glenn was baptized by his grandfather Magill. Unfortunately, Glenn lost his father at a young age and the family moved from the farm to Flagler where his mother owned and operated the Gambles dry goods store. Glenn worked at the store after school and in the summers while growing up. He graduated from Flagler High School in 1950. After graduation Glenn worked for a couple of his brothers and drove the school bus. On August 18, 1951 he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Lorraine Charles. Glenn and Joyce began their married life in Flagler by building a home while Glenn worked for his father-in-law and Joyce served as the school secretary. Glenn then changed careers and became the butcher for Otteman Cash Store in Flagler. In 1955, Glenn and Joyce were blessed with the birth of their first son, Dallas. Four years later their lives changed again with the birth of their second son, Roger. The family was made complete with the birth of their daughter Deena in 1964. In 1974, Glenn made a career change that gave him much satisfaction by becoming the manager of the Flagler Coop Lumber Yard which later became the ACE Hardware Store. Glenn enjoyed being a part of many building projects and, working with contractors from a wide area; most of whom remained friends with Glenn for life. In 1997, Glenn retired from the hardware store but still could quote the price of either a bolt or a 2X4 until his death. During his retirement years, Glenn’s true enjoyment came from traveling to his grandchildren’s events, which included not only ballgames but also livestock shows and FFA activities. He would be the one in the crowd cheering the hardest for his grandchildren and all of the kids alongside his grandchildren. You would be hard pressed to convince Glenn that the other team or competitors worked harder than his kids. After his grandchildren graduated from high school, Glenn was excited to be a great-grandfather and to be a part of their lives. Glenn served in many capacities at the Flagler Baptist Church from church officer to deacon or trustee. He also served on the board of directors for the Pioneer Valley Housing in Flagler for many years. Glenn is survived by his wife, Joyce, of 62 years, his sons Dallas and wife Rose of Flagler, and Roger and wife Loraine of Eads, and his daughter, Deena and husband John Stahley of Kersey. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Adam Saffer of Norman, OK, Destiny Saffer of Garden City, KS, Kilee White and husband Shane of Greeley, CO, Mitch Stahley of Ft. Collins, CO, Jessie and husband Brian Pannell of Medford, OR, Bill Witt and wife Mindy of Flagler, CO, and Hannah and husband Justin Jackson of Flagler, CO. Glenn is also blessed with eleven great-grandchildren and a host of niece and nephews. Glenn is also survived by sister-in-laws Mary Ann Saffer, Nina Saffer, Loretta Charles, and Ilene Charles. Glenn is preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Olive Saffer, his sister Opal Miller and brothers Dale, Avon, Claude, Ross, and Merl Saffer, brothers-in-law Lee Miller, Merle Dean Charles, Duane Charles, Delmar Charles, Bob Travis, and Virgil Fager; sisters-in-law Mildred Saffer, Edith Saffer, Fern Saffer, Pearle Saffer, Josephine Fager, Peggy Charles, and Irene Travis, nieces Velda Miller, Regina Charles, and nephew Jeff Saffer.