Donald E. Salser

Don Salser, 91, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away Nov. 15 at Good Samaritan Society on the Olathe Medical Center campus. He was born in Oak Park, Illinois, to Merl and Wilma (Trigg) Salser, and was raised on a farm in Freeport, Kansas before he moved to Winfield, Kansas in 1939. Don graduated from Winfield High School in 1941 and went on to Pittsburg State University where he earned both a bachelor"s and a master"s degree in education. He spent 38 years as a teacher, 33 of them at Paola High School where he also ran the clock at sporting events. He served his country in the United States Army Air Corps with an honorable discharge in 1946 and was a member of the American Legion. He married Naomi Hardwick on March 3, 1946, in Wichita, Kansas. They spent their married life in Kansas and became parents to four children. Don was a talented craftsman and created many works of art over the years. He was a master of the scroll saw and the intarsia technique of wood inlay, and his projects earned him many craft show ribbons of honor. His various creations, from children"s toys to intricate wall hangings, are treasured keepsakes in the homes of his friends and family and at his last residence, Cedar Lake Village in Olathe. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son David Salser, his daughter, Nancy Davis, and his brother Everett Salser. He is survived by his wife, Naomi, two daughters, Christy Odegard (Steve) of Olathe and Debra Salser (Holly) of Houston, Texas, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and a sister Eileen Gieswein of Iowa City, Iowa. The family suggests memorials to First Presbyterian Church, Gardner, Kansas or a church of your choice. To leave a special memory of Donald or to leave condolences to the family of Donald please go to share memory tab.