Sam J. Waldner, age 91, of the Riverside Colony, died Monday, July 10, 2017 at his home.

Sam's funeral service will be at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, July 12, at the Riverside Colony.

Sam was born September 30, 1925 At the Bon Homme Colony, to John J and Sarah (Hofer) Waldner.  At the age of nine, he moved to Rockport Colony, where he was baptized and later married Mary J. Grosz on June 15, 1947.  They moved to Riverside Colony in 1948, where he lived the rest of his life.  He served the colony in various duties, in the later years he was a heavy equipment operator (and he enjoyed it), doing dirt moving projects at home and at various other Colonies.  He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and loved to show his affection whenever he saw them, always ready with a welcoming hug for family.  Sam was known as a positive person, who taught his family a strong work ethic, determination and to never give up, any problem can be solved.  He lived and believed in showing respect to others and to speak ill of no one.

Sam is survived by his children; Sammy (Betty) Waldner, John (Susie) Waldner, Kathryn (Tom, deceased) Waldner, Edwin (Betty) Waldner, Rev. Kenneth (Eva) Waldner, Bennett (Susanna) Waldner, Moses (Lila) Waldner, Mary Ann (Alvin) Waldner, Alvin (Ruth) Waldner, Ernie (Eva) Waldner, Jonathan (Darla) Waldner, Sara (Norman) Waldner, 53 grandchildren, 120 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, three brothers, Mike Waldner, Moses Waldner , Eli Waldner, three sisters, Elizabeth Waldner, Anna Waldner, Joann Waldner, five sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary J. Waldner, seven brothers, five sisters, four great-grandchildren, one son-in-law, six sisters-in-law and six brothers-in-law.