Willis Alden "Bill" Sackett
(1913-2013)
| Father | Mathew Dunham Sackett (1875-1953) |
| Mother | Bertha Belle King (1886-1973) |
Willis Alden "Bill" Sackett
(1913–2013)
(Src: ObitsforLife.com)
(1913–2013)
(Src: ObitsforLife.com)
Willis Alden "Bill" Sackett, farmer of Walker, Iowa, son of Mathew Dunham Sackett and Bertha Belle King, was born in Scotch Grove, Jones County, IowaG, on 9 February 1913.1,2 He was baptized at Richland Center Presbyterian Church, Monticello, Jones CountyG, on 20 June 1926.3 He died aged 100 years 8 months 10 days in Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IowaG, on 19 October 20132,4 and was buried at Walker Cemetery, Linn CountyG, on 23 October 2013.2,5 He married at St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Anamosa, Jones CountyG, on 31 January 1948, Dorothy Jean Dunkel, daughter of Lewis Dunkel and Lenora Willard.6 Dorothy was born in Pomona, Franklin County, KansasG, on 5 April 1930.7 She died aged 91 in Cedar RapidsG on 15 January 2022.7
In 1920 Willis was living in Scotch GroveG in the household of his parents Mathew and Bertha, and was recorded in the census as Willis Sackett, aged seven and born in Iowa.8
In 1930 he was living in South Fork, Delaware County, IowaG, in the household of his parents Mathew and Bertha, and was recorded as Willis A Sackett, aged 17.9
In 1940 he was living in Lovell, Jones CountyG, in the household of his brother Roy and sister-in-law Ina, and was recorded as Willis A Sackett, a laborer, aged 27.10
Willis completed a World War II draft registration card on 16 October 1940. He was aged 27 and was employed by his father. He was living in MonticelloG.11
Bill served in the Army during the Second World War, seeing service in North Africa, Italy, and France as an infantry radio operator, and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received six awards of the Bronze Star Medal during his service.2 Bill and Dorothy operated a row crop and dairy farm west of Walker, Iowa, while raising 11 children. Bill also worked for the Walker Creamery for many years, collecting cream from area farms.2
In 1920 Willis was living in Scotch GroveG in the household of his parents Mathew and Bertha, and was recorded in the census as Willis Sackett, aged seven and born in Iowa.8
In 1930 he was living in South Fork, Delaware County, IowaG, in the household of his parents Mathew and Bertha, and was recorded as Willis A Sackett, aged 17.9
In 1940 he was living in Lovell, Jones CountyG, in the household of his brother Roy and sister-in-law Ina, and was recorded as Willis A Sackett, a laborer, aged 27.10
Willis completed a World War II draft registration card on 16 October 1940. He was aged 27 and was employed by his father. He was living in MonticelloG.11
Bill served in the Army during the Second World War, seeing service in North Africa, Italy, and France as an infantry radio operator, and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received six awards of the Bronze Star Medal during his service.2 Bill and Dorothy operated a row crop and dairy farm west of Walker, Iowa, while raising 11 children. Bill also worked for the Walker Creamery for many years, collecting cream from area farms.2
Dorothy Jean (Dunkel) Sackett
(1930–2022)
(Src: The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, 18 Jan 2022)
(1930–2022)
(Src: The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, 18 Jan 2022)
Children of Willis Alden "Bill" Sackett and Dorothy Jean Dunkel
Children who are or may be living are not shown.
- Walter Dunham Sackett b. 7 May 1949, d. 14 Dec 2020
- Michael P Sackett b. 1955, d. 1969
Willis "Bill" A Sackett
Willis "Bill" Sackett, 100, passed away with his wife and daughter by his side, Saturday, October 19, 2013, at his daughter Sue’s home in Cedar Rapids. Services: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2013, at the Walker Bible Church, Walker, by Pastor Casey Reinkoester. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at the church. Burial: Walker Cemetery, Walker, with military honors by American Legion Ray Post #376. Following the burial a luncheon will be held at the Walker Legion Hall.
Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy; ten children, Ron of Cedar Rapids, Wally (Terri) of Newhall, Sherry of Cedar Rapids, Lynn (Karen) of Ogden, Marilyn (Miles) Wilson of Robins, Sue (Ken) Clayton of Cedar Rapids, Rich (Pam) of Winthrop, Wayne of Robins, Alan (Susan) of Durant, and Jeff (Lucy) of Cedar Rapids. His loving legacy includes 18 grandchildren, Mat, Vicky, Kelly (Casey Sanders) and Travis Sackett, Mike (Shelley), Connor and Hannah Sackett, Tiffany, Austin and Logan Wilson, Josh Fuessley, Brandi (Ben Sindelar), Cami and Tessa (Dick Cole) Sackett, Billy and Jamie Sackett, Monica and Lexie Sackett; 11 great-grandchildren, Keana and Keagan Sackett, Riley and Chloe Quinn, Cael and Addyson Sanders, Kayden Sackett, Kyle Sackett, Isabel Guerrero, Oscar and Oliver Cole; one great-great-grandchild, Alayna Sackett; plus many nephews, nieces and cousins who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Michael P. (1955–1969) and Kevin B. (stillborn–1961); daughter-in-law, Sharon (DeSotel) Sackett; grandchildren, Scott Sackett and Alisha Sackett; and great-granddaugher, Abigail Sindelar.
Bill was born February 9, 1913, in Scotch Grove, Iowa, to Mathew Sackett, Jr. and Bertha (King) Sackett. He was the fifth of nine children and the last to pass. He attended country school near Monticello.
During World War II, Bill served in the Army in North Africa, Italy, and France as an infantry radio operator, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received six awards of the Bronze Star Medal during his service. After the war, he found the love of his life, Dorothy Jean Dunkel and they were married January 31, 1948, in Monticello. They operated a row crop and dairy farm west of Walker, Iowa, while raising 11 children. Bill also worked for the Walker Creamery for many years, driving a route collecting cream from area farms.
Bill loved to have people around him and family gatherings were usually focused around the card games or pitching horseshoes during the summer months. A life-long Cubs fan, he also enjoyed hunting and reading westerns in his free time. He welcomed everyone with a smile and was generous with whatever he had to give.
We’ll miss Grampa, Uncle Bill, Dad.
The family sends a special thank you to the Mercy Hospice team.
In lieu of flowers, donate to your favorite charity in memory of Bill.
— Obits for Life.com (http://www.obitsforlife.com/)
Dorothy Sackett
Cedar Rapids
Dorothy Sackett passed away at age 91 on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at Sue and Ken's home in Cedar Rapids, where she lived for the past 12 years. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids. A funeral service will take place at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Walker Cemetery in Walker, Iowa.
Dorothy was born April 5, 1930, in Pomona, Kan., to Lewis Dunkel and Lenora (Willard) Dunkel. She was the sixth of nine children. The family returned to Hopkinton, Iowa, where Dorothy grew up and attended school. Dorothy married Willis "Bill" Sackett on Jan. 31, 1948, in Anamosa, Iowa. They operated a row crop and dairy farm west of Walker, Iowa, while raising 11 children. Dorothy will always be remembered for serving a great meal, enjoying a game of cards and welcoming anyone with a smile.
Dorothy is survived by nine children, Ron of Cedar Rapids, Sherry of Hiawatha, Lynn (Karen) of Ogden, Marilyn (Miles) Wilson of Robins, Sue (Ken) Clayton of Cedar Rapids, Richard (Pam) of Winthrop, Lana of Cedar Rapids, Alan (Susan) of Stanwood and Jeff (Lucy) of Amana; daughter-in-law, Terri Sackett of Center Point; siblings, Louis "Ed" Dunkel of Cedar Rapids and Lyle Dunkel of Anamosa; and sister-in-law, Ruth Dunkel of Florida.
Her legacy also includes 18 grandchildren, Mat, Vicky (Christian), Kelly, Travis, Mike (Shelly), Connor (Emily), Hannah, Tiffany (Cory) Elwick, Austin (Kirby Patten) and Logan Wilson, Josh (Amanda) Fuessley, Brandi (Ben) Sindelar, Cami (John) Neymeyer, Tessa (Dick) Cole, Billy and Jamie Sackett, Monica and Lexie; 18 great-grandchildren, Keana and Keagan Sackett, Riley and Chloe Quinn, Cael, Addyson and Harper Sanders, Kayden Sackett, Kyle Sackett, Brantley and Axel Elwick, Mabel Fuessley, Isabel Guerrero, Oscar, Oliver, Oxford and Opal Cole and Evelyn Williams; three great-great-grandchildren, Alayna and Ariana Sackett and Maddax Knapp; and many nephews, nieces and extended family who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by husband, Bill; three sons, Michael P. (1955-1969), Kevin B. (stillborn-1961), and Walter D. "Wally" (1949-2020); parents, Lewis and Lenora Dunkel; grandchildren, Scott Sackett and Alisha Sackett; great-granddaughter, Abigail Sindelar; siblings, Levona Jondahl, Duane Dunkel, Lloyd Dunkel, Ernie Dunkel, Lucille Sackett and Harlan Dunkel; and daughter-in-law, Sharon (DeSotel) Sackett.
—The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, online edition, 18 Jan 2022
Notes & Citations
- Thurmon King's database.
- Website Obits for Life.com (http://www.obitsforlife.com/).
- "U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970" (Ancestry image), "Sackett, Willis Alden, b. 9 Feb 1913, bp. Richland Center Presbyterian Church, Monticello, Iowa, 20 Jun 1926, father Matthew Donham Sackett, mother Bertha King."
- "Social Security Death Index" (Ancestry transcript), "W A Sackett, b. 9 Feb 1913, d. 19 Oct 2013, SSN 483-03-7029 issued IA, residence."
- Find a Grave.
- "U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969" (Ancestry image), "31 Jan 1948, St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Anamosa, Iowa, Willis Alden Sackett, 34, of Hopkinton, Iowa, father Matthew Dunham, mother Bertha King; & Dorothy Jean Dunkel, 18, of Hopkinton, father Lewis Dunkel, mother Lenora Willard. Witnesses: G Rickels, H L Bursing."
- Obituary.
- 1920 United States Federal Census, Roll T625_495, p 2A, Enumeration District 78
Farm, Scotch Grove, Jones, Iowa, 7 Jun 1920
Sackett, Mathew D, head, 44, farmer, farm, b. IA, father b. NY, mother b. IN, home rented
Sackett, Bertha, wife, 32, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Roy, son, 16, working out, on farm, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Grace, daughter, 15, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Walter A, son, 13, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Ellis, son, 9, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Willis, son, 7, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Leonard, son, 5, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Dorothy M, daughter, 2 6/12, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA. - 1930 United States Federal Census, Page 7B, Enumeration District 0031, FHL microfilm 2340387
South Fork, Delaware, Iowa, 25 Apr 1930
Sackett, M D, head, 54, m. at 26, general farming, b. IA, father b. NY, mother b. IN, home rented
Sackett, Bertha B, wife, 43, m. at 15, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. PA
Sackett, Walter A, son, 22, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Ellis L, son, 19, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Willis A, son, 17, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Lenard M, son, 15, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Dorthy M, daughter, 12, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, Minnie M, daughter, 8, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA
Sackett, James B, son, 6, b. IA, father b. IA, mother b. IA. - 1940 United States Federal Census, Roll m-t0627-01172, p 7B, ED 53-11
Lovell, Jones County, Iowa, 22 Apr 1940
Sackett, Roy F, head, 37, cream hauler, b. IA, home owned, $500
Sackett, Ina, wife, 34, b. IA
Sackett, Martin M, son, 6, b. IA
Sackett, Jennie Lea, daughter, 4, b. IA
Sackett, Norman R, son, 9/12, b. IA
Sackett, Matthew D, father, 64, farmer, b. IA
Sackett, Bertha, mother, 53, b. IA
Sackett, Walter A, brother, 32, b. IA
Sackett, Willis A, brother, 27, laborer, b. IA
Sackett, Minnie Marie, sister, 18, b. IA
Sackett, James D, brother, 16, farm laborer, b. IA. - "U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947" (Ancestry image), "Serial no. 946, Willis Alden Sackett, RFD#2, Monticello, Jones, Iowa, age 27, b. Scotch Grove, Iowa, 9 Feb 1913, nok Matthew Dunham Sackett, father, emp Matthew Dunham Sackett, race white, ht 5 3, eyes blue, wt 118, hair red, complexion light. Reg Iowa, 16 Oct 1940."
| Appears in | Sacketts in the Military Sackett snippets |
| Sackett line | 6th great-grandson of John Sackett of New Haven |
| Charts | Line 4 (American) |
| Generation.Tree | 10R.4 |
| Last Edited | 24 Dec 2023 |
and 
are links to Text and Image exhibits.
English line of Thomas Sackett the elder & other English lines
American line of Thomas Sackett the elder through Simon Sackett the colonist
Line of John Sackett of New Haven