Anna Katherine Sauger

Anna Katherine (nee: Kapolka) Sauger, age 101 of Center Line, died Saturday, April 16, 2005 at Martha T. Berry Nursing Home in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Mrs. Sauger was born April 4, 1904 (04-04-04) in Puritan, PA, a coal-mining town just outside of Portage in Cambria County Pennsylvania. Anna was the first girl of parents, Albert and Maria Kapolka, in a family of eight boys and three girls. Her brother Joseph Kapolka of California is the other surviving member of the original family. Mrs. Sauger is survived by her children; Mary Hiznay of Rochester, Stephen (JoAnne) of Troy, Martha Cummins of Center Line, Regis (Connie) of Ft. Meyers, Florida, Marvin (Leah) of Center Line, Ron (Joan) Troy, Richard (Diane)Chesterfield Township, and Larry (Michele) Sauger of Sterling Heights. Also survived by 34 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and 15 great great-grandchildren. Her husband John and three children, the late Julia, Margaret, and Leonard Sauger predeceased Mrs. Sauger. Anna often spoke of the hard life coal miners familys had as she grew up in Puritan, Pennsylvania. The Kapolka family kept 2 cows for milk, 2 pigs, and some chickens that provided fresh eggs. She was taught to milk the Holsteins by her mother along with some of the family favorite recipes such as pierogi, golumpki, and a variety of Slovak breads and pastries. Anns father, brothers, and the other miners were fighting for the 8 hour work day and for better safety in the mines, so they joined with fellow miners and formed a Union. A lockout ensued and since Puritan was a company town, armed police hired by the coal company forced the families, to leave their homes. In a company town all of the houses were built and owned by the Coal Company, including the small company store where staples such as flour, sugar, etc. were purchased. The Kapolka family lived along with their fellow miners in the forests surrounding the mine. The younger children, including Ann would go at night along the RR tracks near the mine and collect coal that the families burned for heat and cooking. Eventually the miners and the Coal Company settled and life returned to normal. There was a one-room school where Ann attended with the other miners children. Eventually, Ann met John Sauger, a young miner who worked in the same mines as her Dad, Albert Kapolka and her Brothers, George, Albert, Steven, and Gaza. Her younger Brothers, Martin, August and Joseph, though too young to work the mines, nevertheless kept the household chores done, along with sisters Mary and Julia. John and Ann married on February 18, 1924 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Portage, PA. Prior to her death, Ann could still recall all of her bridesmaids and whom they eventually married. She still has her wedding gown that John bought for her. Together they started their family as the Saugers of Puritan. They lived in a small house up on the hill above the Puritan Shaft Mine along what was known as "Whiskey Row". John was especially proud of his 1923 Olds Touring Sedan that he kept meticulously clean and always made sure the chrome was shiny. A daughter, Mary was born in 1925, and a year later found the young Sauger family on their way to Detroit. John found work at the Graham/Paige Truck factory that is now known as Chrysler Eldon Axle Plant. They lived in a rented house on Tappan Street near Lynch Road and Van Dyke. St. Cyril Church and School provided spiritual and educational needs for the family. During World War II, Ann worked at the old Packard plant helping build Packard-Merlin engines used in the P-51 Mustangs. But Ann wanted better for her family. One day she ventured north on Van Dyke to an area where new homes were being built. It was on Standard Street in Center Line that the Sauger family moved into their new house in 1944. John was now working the day shift at the Dodge Truck Plant on 9 mile and Mound and Ann worked the midnight shift at Bundy Tubing to help raise their family. Ann also worked at Sanders on Van Dyke & Harper, and at Kruegers Restaurant in Detroit. Through the years they watched their family grow to 7 boys and 4 girls. Two children, Julia and Leonard, died in infancy. As the remaining 9 kids got older, christenings, communion parties, graduations, and eventually more weddings, christenings, communion parties, etc., became a popular past time in this family. When Bundy Tubing was nearing closure, Ann found work at Glo-Tone Cleaners and helped pay the tuition for her kids at the Parochial School at St. Clement. Ann and John always wanted better for their kids and they worked hard to provide an education. John retired from Chrysler and kept Ann busy around the house with projects. One day while she was walking down the street from work Ann noticed their driveway "stood out" more than their neighbors. John had painted it green to match the lawn. But he painted it one quart at a time! Every day he would walk up to the hardware store on Van Dyke and come home with a quart of green paint. Another of his projects was to put a permanent shine on the basement floor tilehe varnished it with clear varnish! All through Johns retirement years Ann kept her sense of humor. Then tragedy struck, and John passed away April 3, 1971. Ann had lost her soul mate. But her large family helped her through the loneliness and since she couldnt drive, took her to Mass at St. Clement and the store when they had time. But that didnt satisfy Ann. She signed up for Drivers Training and would meet the instructor at the corner so her neighbors wouldnt know. She kept her secret from her kids also. Then on her birthday at 70 she bought her first new cara Green Dodge Scamp. She was so proud of her drivers license! By now Glo-Tone changed owners and Ann heard that the priests at St. Clement Catholic Church needed help. She was hired as the housekeeper and spent the next 20 years taking care of the parish rectory. She was non-discriminatory in her care. Even the Archbishop at the time, Edmund Cardinal Szoka, enjoyed her homemade chicken soup and other favorite recipes. Back in 1956, Ann became the proud owner of a new Pfaff sewing machine. Sewing has always been a passion for her. She would dress dolls in various fashions including cheerleaders and donate them to St Clement and St Anne for their festivals. Many priests during the years wore vestments hand-made by Ann Sauger. She still treasures that machine to this day. But she has to give the motor a rest once in a while because it cant keep up with her. She just finished sewing hand-made articles such as pillowcases and quilts for her family. August 2002 she was honored by a visit to her home by Attorney General Jennifer Granholm, candidate for Governor. And Ann presented the would-be Governor with a hand-made pillow/blanket for her travels through the State. If you ask the Sauger children what they cherish most about their Mother, it will vary widely with each one. But together they will agree that most of all, Ann has been their best friend through all the joys and sorrows of the years. She has always been there for them, a shoulder to cry on; a hot bowl of homemade chicken soup when they needed it; and laughter to share the good times. We have been truly Blessed to have Ann Sauger as our Mother, our Grandmother, our Great Grandmother, our Great-Great Grandmother. Visitation for Mrs. Sauger will be Monday April 18th at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Rd. at Common, (12 mile), from 5-9 pm and Tuesday 1-9 pm. Rosary services will also be Tuesday at 7:30 pm. Mrs. Sauger will lie in state Wednesday 9:15 am at St. Clement Catholic Church until time of Funeral Mass 9:45 am. Officiating the funeral Mass will be Rev. Fr. Philip Briffa. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township. Memorial donations appreciated to the Capuchin Fathers 1820 Mount Elliot Ave., Detroit, MI 48207. Please share memories of Mrs. Sauger at the guest book.