Donald Lawrence "Donnie" Sartori

Donald Lawrence Sartori, 83 of Petaluma passed away on January 3, 2018. “Donnie”, a Sonoma County native, was born in Petaluma and grew up in the home that his grandparents built in 1915 for their 12 children.  The home was located on the Cream Cup Dairy, a ranch started by his grandfather Arcangelo Sartori, a prominent Sonoma County rancher. One of 24 grand-children of Arcangelo & Adela Sartori, he grew up in a close knit Swiss family.

As a young boy, Don rode his horse, named “Pet” to a nearby one room school, Bliss School on Casa Grande Road. He attended Petaluma High School and after graduation he worked for the late, Ples Crews delivering milk and working at the family dairy, then owned by his father. He married Nadine Anderson in 1957 and they were married for 39 years. After the birth of their first two children, Don purchased a dump truck 1959 and started his own business, D. Sartori Hauling. He operated his business for 37 years until retirement. He was very proud of his grand- children being members of 4-H and purchased them their first market steers to enter in the local county fairs. Later in life, he purchased a ranch on Fallon Road in Petaluma, where he continued to raise beef cattle until his death. He traveled to the ranch daily to care for his cows and enjoy time in the country. Don will be greatly missed by many friends and relatives who will remember his big smile and his endless stories of his fun antics in the past.

He is survived by his son, Larry (Joanne) Sartori of Petaluma and daughter, Maureen (Doug) Butler of Santa Rosa. He was ‘Popi’ to his grand-children, Jennifer (Tino) Rivera, Katie & Hannah Sartori all of Petaluma, Tim (Melissa) Sartori of San Diego, Christopher (Jessica) Sartori of Richmond, VA and Megan Butler of Santa Rosa, Great-Granddaughter, Caroline Sartori of San Diego. Also survived by his long-time companion Marilyn Jensen of Petaluma. He is preceded in death by his daughter Shari Sartori, parents Irene (Riebli) & Ernest Sartori and his brother Mervyn Sartori.

Member of the Petaluma Elks Club, Sonoma-Marin Swiss Club & Native Sons of the Golden West.

Family and Friends are invited to a Memorial Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma on Friday January 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be private.

Donations preferred to Shari D. Sartori Memorial Scholarship,c/o Poppy Bank 100 2nd Street, Petaluma, CA 94952

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church