Sarah Jo Ehler Johnson

August 3, 2011

Sarah Jo Ehler Johnson, died on Thursday, July 14, 2011, in Mill Valley, California, at the home of her daughter, Grace Kraaijvanger. Sarah was surrounded by family at her passing. For the past seven years Sarah has fought cancer.

A funeral service was held at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Mill Valley on Tuesday, July 19 and an open house to celebrate her life was held at the Kraaijvanger home following the service. Contributions in Sarah's memory may be made to her favorite charity, the Free Store Food Bank.

Sarah Jo Johnson, was born to Bud and Josephine Johnson on October 25, 1948. She grew up in Northwood, Iowa, the second of six children. Sarah graduated from the Northwood-Kensett High School, attended Loretta Heights College and graduated from the University of Denver in 1971. Later she received her master’s in Public Policy from the University of Oklahoma. She moved to Minneapolis after college graduation and became an avid Vikings fan. Her first daughter, Grace, was born in Minneapolis in 1975. Sarah and Grace moved to Dallas in 1978. In 1982, Sarah met her beloved husband, Lynn at the wedding of her brother, Tom and Lynn's sister, Kim. Sarah and Lynn were married November 27, 1982 in Omaha, Nebraska. They had four daughters, Grace (Kraaijvanger), Emily, Maggie and Abby Ehler and three grandchildren, Miles Ehler and Jane and Ben Kraaijvanger.

Sarah, Lynn and their daughters lived in many locations: Omaha, Colorado Springs, Phoenix, Wichita and Cincinnati. In each of these locations, as Lynn pursued his career as a pilot, Sarah created a wonderful home for her family and was actively involved volunteering at school, in local organizations and at church. Sarah had the gift of celebration. She lived her life with great joy and great courage.

Sarah was preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Josephine Johnson; and her husband, Lynn.

She is survived by her daughter, Grace (Arnaud) Kraaijvanger and daughters, Emily, Maggie and Abby Ehler; grandchildren, Miles Ehler and Jane and Ben Kraaijvanger; brothers, Dick, Tom (Kim) and Jim (Gigi) Johnson; sisters, Jane (Jim) Bloomingdale and Margaret (Mike) Vellon; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
© Northwood Anchor 2011

Ellen G. (Mostrom) Bersagel

August 3, 2011

Ellen G. (Mostrom) Bersagel, after living 99 years in Christ on earth, joined Him in heaven for eternal life on Saturday, July 30, 2011.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, August 4, at 1:30 p.m., at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, rural Kensett, with Pastor Tom Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the Elk Creek Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Ellen was born at home on July 27, 1912, the daughter of Andrew and Marie (Johnson) Mostrom. She was a graduate of Waldorf College, Forest City, Iowa, and Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On June 29, 1938, she married the Reverend Edward A. Bersagel at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church. They served parishes in Iowa, South Dakota and Illinois. Ellen supported her husband’s ministry as she played the piano and organ, directed choirs, sang solos, taught, listened and encouraged. With her husband she kept a Christ centered home by providing for the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of her family. Ellen was baptized, confirmed and married at the Elk Creek Church.

After her husband’s death in 1973, she returned to her childhood home and to the congregation. She continued to serve by directing the Elk Creek Choir and participated in the congregation’s WELCA organization and the Leah-Rachel circle.

Grateful for her life are her son, John David (Mary Jo) Bersagel of Onalaska, Wisconsin; her daughters, Marie Bersagel and Ruth Bersagel of Northwood and Anne (Michael) Macek of Fort Dodge; seven grandchildren, Kjerstin (Jamie) Smith, Kari (Matthew) Bersagel Braley, Ahna (Oren) Bersagel-Briese, Pilar Macek, Misha Macek, Marek Macek and Gesila Macek; five great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents in 1929 and 1960; her husband in 1973; and a great-grandson, Liam Bersagel-Briese in February 2011.
© Northwood Anchor 2011