Jeanne Frances Saathoff, 77, died May 31, 2008 in Austin, Texas, with her husband and children at her side. A Ph.D. who conducted research and taught within the University of Missouri Health Sciences System during the 1970s and 1980s, she died from complications of hepatic cancer that arose from hepatitis B, which she contracted while teaching in the hospital clinical setting.

Born Jeanne Frances Kovarik, she was the third child of eight. Jeanne and her twin sister were born on January 14, 1931 in Deadwood, South Dakota. Her twin sister died during infancy, and Jeanne was reared in the prairie town of Red Owl, in Meade County, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Rudolph Kovarik, who owned and operated a general store and post office, and Margaret Kovarik, who taught in the one-room schoolhouse that Jeanne and her siblings attended. An avid reader and exceptional student, Jeanne won the state spelling championship of South Dakota. A graduate of St. Martins Academy in Sturgis, SD, she received her nursing diploma in Sioux Falls, SD, prior to her marriage in 1953 to Joseph Francis Saathoff, an officer and flight engineer in the United States Air Force. They had seven children and lived in Rapid City, SD, Montgomery AL, Sacramento CA, Omaha NE, Columbia MO, Charlottesville VA, and most recently Austin, Texas.

After the births of her children, Jeanne completed a Bachelors degree in nursing at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she graduated Summa cum Laude. At the University of Missouri, she went on to obtain her Masters degree and finally her Ph.D. While at the University of Missouri, Jeanne conducted research in childhood diabetes with Robert L. Jackson, M.D., who pioneered the development of modern methods of insulin treatment. During her academic career, Jeanne served as president of the University of Missouri Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing.

Despite advancing complications of her hepatitis over the last two decades, Jeanne was a bright light to many friends and relatives. She was known as a fine cook, who graciously provided meals for large groups of friends and family. Jeannes continued dedication to her Catholic faith and to the service of others remains a source of inspiration to her family and friends. She and her husband were particularly dedicated to supporting the pro-life movement. Over the course of her life, her interest in music included skills at the piano and dedication to Gregorian chant, within the Schola of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlottesville, VA.

She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Joanne, and a daughter, Anne Therese, who both died in infancy. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Joseph F. Saathoff, in addition to their six children, including Daniel Saathoff, Joanne Saathoff Lupo and Mary Blackwell, all of Austin, TX. Her other surviving children include Patrick Saathoff, Ph.D., in Guelph, Ontario Canada; Gregory Saathoff M.D., in Charlottesville, VA; and Stephen Saathoff of Columbia, MO. Also surviving are her six brothers and sisters. Patricia Blote, Richard Kovarik, M.D., Wenzel Kovarik, M.D. and Joseph Kovarik, M.D., all reside in South Dakota. Her sisters Sister Carol Kovarik and Karen Patterson reside in Wyoming. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren who reside in Missouri, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas, and 19 nieces and nephews.

There will be a Rosary at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, South Dakota at 7 pm Thursday evening, June 5, with a Friday 1:30 pm funeral Mass at the old St. Martins Chapel in Sturgis followed by burial at the Black Hills National Cemetery. The family requests that any donations be made in her name to the upkeep of the old St. Martins Chapel in Sturgis, South Dakota.

A memorial Mass is being planned for Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Columbia, Missouri and Charlottesville, Virginia at dates yet to be determined.