Topeka ? He was born Aug. 31, 1921, in Moline, the son of Edwin Clayton and Lillian May (Cook) Saffels. He graduated from Moline High School in 1939. He graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, then earned his law degree at Washburn University School of Law.

Judge Saffels was a senior U.S. District Court judge, appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. He served as Finney County attorney; was elected to four terms in the Kansas House of Representatives, including Democratic leader of the House; ran for governor; was chairman of Kansas Corporation Commission; and had a private law practice.

He also served in the Army during World War II, where he commanded the 1373rd Signal Company in France, leaving the service as a major. He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and served on the local, state and national levels in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. He was also a member of the American, Kansas and Wichita bar associations and of American Judicature Society.

He married Winona R. Vahsholtz in 1943. They divorced. He married Margaret Cowger Deiter on April 2, 1976. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters, Suzanne Dale Gravitt, Virginia Beach, Va., and Deborah S. Godowns, Leawood; a son, Jim B., Overland Park; a stepson, Chris Nieman Cowger, Topeka; a stepdaughter, Lynda C. Harris, Dallas; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Topeka, was in charge of arrangements.

The family suggests memorials to the churchâÂÂs building fund, 3625 S.W. Wanamaker, Topeka 66614, or Topeka Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 8350, Topeka 66608-0350.