Representative William Robert Salton View All Years

WILLIAM SALTON

Mr. Speaker: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character, and public service of the late Honorable William Robert Salton, begs leave to submit the following Memorial:

William Salton was born May 4, 1935 in rural Ayrshire, Iowa. He graduated from Gillett Grove High School. He married Darlene Stukey on March 18, 1956 at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer and following their marriage, they farmed in the Gillett Grove and Aryshire area. He was an active member of the Assembly of God Church in Spencer, holding many leadership positions.

Bill served on the executive board of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, and the private Land and Environmental Committee of the National Cattlemen’s Association. He was President of the Iowa Forage and Grassland Council, served on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Lakes Controlled Grazing Council, was Superintendent of the Beef Division of the Clay County Fair, and was Chairman of the Clay County Extension Council. He served on the Board of Directors of the Farm Bureau as well as the Board of Directors of the Farmers Home Administration. He was a member of the Farm Advisory Council of Iowa Lakes Community College.

Bill Salton’s many honors include Iowa’s Top Commercial Cow/Calf Producer, State SCS Conservation Award, IFGC Top Producer Award, Kiwanis Farmer of the Year, Iowa Peace Maker Award from the Iowa Peace Institute, Clay County Cattleman of the Year, and IFGC Merit Award for Leadership.

Throughout his career, Bill and his family hosted 4-H and FFA Clubs judging contests, grassland and soil contests, cow/calf extension programs, and pasture management and soil conservation field days. At his farm, home, he hosted countless farm tours, including the Spencer Business persons farm tour and the Spencer bankers breakfast tour. He was a well-known speaker at grass management and soil conservation meetings statewide.

Before domestic abuse shelters were established, Bill and Darlene’s home was a “safe house” for abused women and children. They have taken eleven foster children into their home, and one has remained a part of their family circle; and also hosted a German foreign exchange student for a year. The Saltons established Salton Park on Silver Lake.

Bill Salton was a Republican who represented Palo Alto and Clay Counties in the Legislature for one two-year term, serving 1995 and 1996. Here, as wherever he went, Bill was recognized as a man of God and a man of conscience. Every member of the Assembly counted him as a friend.

William Salton passed away at his home in rural Ruthven on February 2, 1997, at the age of 61. He is survived by his wife, Darlene, two sons and their wives: William E. and Lisa, and Russell and Sue, all of Aryshire. Four daughters: Janet and husband, Steve Crisman of Austin, Texas; Carol and husband, Rick Ayres of Spirit Lake; Donna Robey and her fiancee, Tom Musel of Emmetsburg; and Shirley and husband, Sam Henkelvig of Emmetsburg. Two brothers: Kenneth and wife, Lois of Ruthven; and Sandy and wife, Natalie of Ayrshire; one sister, Doris and husband, Virgil Treimer of Hartley; 15 grandchildren; many other relatives, and countless friends.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-seventh General Assembly of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable William Robert Salton, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this Resolution would express its appreciation of his service.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

MARCELLA FREVERT

JOHN GREIG

RALPH KLEMME

Committee