Don Verlin Sachtleben – Obituary and Assessment Call

Don checking the hunting license of former President George H Bush.

Don Verlin Sachtleben, retired Texas Game Warden and former Bee County Constable, passed away in his home on Monday, July 18, 2016. Don fought a valiant fight against the ever more debilitating and incurable ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and was cared for each day and each hour by his loving wife Johnnie Ann. He was laid to rest in the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery on Thursday, July 21. He was honored with a Christian burial service, a full Masonic service, and final honors rendered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Honor Guard.

Don was the son of Harry Victor and Clara Martha Marie Harbers Sachtleben. He was born in DeWitt County, Texas, on August 31, 1937, where he spent his entire early life until he graduated from Yorktown High School. He lived and worked in the Victoria area until he entered into his life work as a Texas Game Warden in 1961. Don’s first duty station was in Bexar County, followed by his move to Bee County in 1964, where he ultimately retired after being credited with 39 years of honorable service to the citizens of the State of Texas. For Don, being a Texas Game Warden was a lifelong adventure. He loved people, the outdoors, and nature in general, and there was really no such thing as “being off duty”.

Beginning in about 1970 another dream became a reality - a ranching partnership between Don, his dad, and brother. While Don had grown up farming and ranching, he always had a dream of being part of a large scale operation. S2 Ranches was born and continued until he was unable to participate in the operation. The cattle brand used, Lazy S 2, had been passed generation to generation from his great grandmother, and was first registered in 1855 in Blanco County. He delighted in working cattle, riding pasture, and all the associated jobs necessary to run a ranching operation, and he was good at it.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Robert John, and a grandson, Karl. He is survived by his devoted wife, Johnnie Ann, the light of his life, his grandson Dr. Brandon Sehlke and his wife Dr. Jennifer Sehlke, and his great grandchildren Kendall, Caleb and Colton. Additionally, he is survived by his brother Sheriff Glen A. Sachtleben and his wife Jo, his step daughter Hollie, step grandchildren Eric and Savanna, and step daughter Terri. Don is also survived by daughters Donna and Vicki, grandchildren J and K, and daughter Lanie.

Don will be remembered for his ready smile, his love of people, and the always ready story. His joy in life was shared by a host of friends, associates, and fellow law enforcement officers. He will be well remembered and sorely missed. The family asks that any memorials made in his memory go to ALS research.

TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE

MUTUAL ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 549
Del Valle, Texas 78617

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE MUTUAL ASSOCIATION

SUBJECT:       Assessment Call: Don Sachtleben #322
DATE:             August 8, 2016
AMOUNT:       $20.00
DUE:               September 18, 2016

Failure to pay by the due date will result in loss of benefits. The assessment fee plus a reinstatement fee will be charged to rejoin the Association.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Mutual Association (TPW Mutual Association) regrets to inform you of the death of one of our members, Don V. Sachtleben.

Don became a member of the TPW Mutual Association on January 5, 1967. He retained his membership up until his death on July 18, 2016. A check in the amount of $5,000 was delivered to Mrs. Johnnie Ann Sachtleben on July 21, 2016.

An assessment in the amount of $20.00 will be necessary to bring the policy fund back into balance to have payments on hand for other members in case of death. Please make this payment by the due date listed above.

Sincerely,
Sara Gutierrez, Secretary

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Mutual Association

REMINDER

Make Checks Payable to:

TPWD Mutual Association

Please Mail All Payments to:

TPWD Mutual Association
P.O. Box 549
Del Valle, TX 78617

If you have any questions regarding the TPWD Mutual Association, please contact:

Sara Gutierrez (512) 389-8193, sara.gutierrez@tpwd.texas.gov or
Jon Purvis (512) 389-8193, jon.purvis@tpwd.texas.gov.