Sarah Stahl: 1928-2022
Sarah L. Kleinsasser Stahl, 93, was born July 12, 1928 to Julia and Joe K. Kleinsasser in Freeman, S.D. She entered her heavenly home on March 29, 2022 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman at the age of 93. A funeral service was held Saturday, April 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hutterthal Mennonite Church of rural Freeman.
Sarah was baptized at Hutterthal Church by Rev. Jacob B Hofer and remained a member there until her death. On June 6, 1946, she married Eli J. Stahl. They enjoyed 55 years of married life together. The union was blessed with four children: Judy, Duane, Tom and Oren.
Sarah worked alongside Eli on the farm and with the dairy. She enjoyed singing as she walked the fields, “My God and I walk in the field together. We walk and talk as good friends should and do. We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter. My God and I walk through the meadow’s hue.”
Special memories are her wonderful cooking and baking skills that she shared with so many friends and family. Our family time around the table wouldn’t be complete without her roast turkey or roast duck, along with her homemade buns, cheesecake, strawberry pretzel salad, and coconut cream pie!
Mom and Dad were also able to travel with bus tours to several states and participate in a Mennonite heritage tour to Europe. They enjoyed listening to the gospel music on Saturday nights for many years at the Cornerstone restaurant.
Becoming legally blind in 2002 taught Mom patience and the skill to adapt to a new way of living. She enjoyed listening to books and magazines on tape. God blessed Mom with the beautiful ability to play piano by ear. It was a gift to her family and later became a blessing to many at Oakview Terrace where she was a resident for six years.
She is survived by her four children: Judy and Loren Kaufman, Duane and Julianne Stahl, Tom Stahl, and Oren and Patti Stahl. Grandchildren include: Heather and Dan Haggerty, Natalie and Brian Stamp, Laurie and Bret Moeller, Amy and Mike Rus, Moriah and Toby Davis, Josh and Briana Stahl, Jodie and Dane Allison, and Elijah Stahl. Great-grandchildren are: Ryan, Brennan, Gavin and Praba Haggerty, Brady and Tate Stamp, Alexa Moeller and fiancé Kyle, Mitchell and Jalyn Moeller, Cole Waldhauser and friend Karina, Levi Waldhauser and friend Nicole, Reed and Reagan Rus, and Zipporah and Micah Davis. Surviving siblings are Joann Stahl and Ruby (Gary) Hughes; brothers-in-law Johnny Graber and Eldon Hofer; and sisters-in-law Lavonne Schrag and Betty Stahl.
Sarah was preceded in death by her husband Eli in 2001, grandson Nathaniel Stahl, her parents Joe K and Julia Kleinsasser and her parents-in-law John J.K. and Mary Stahl; and siblings: Iva Kleinsasser, Adella Walter Gross, Amos Kleinsasser, Mary Wollmann, Silas Kleinsasser, Bertha Gross Hofer, Katheryn Graber and Fern Kaufman. Also preceding her were in-laws: Ernest Walter, Ervin Gross, Kathryn Kleinsasser, Solomon Wollmann, Duane Schrag, Jake Gross, William Stahl, Clyde Kaufman, John and Adina Stahl, Susie Stahl, Mary Stahl, Betty and Paul Gross, Kathryn and Max Schamber, and Sam Stahl.
