Sarah Severtson

Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 26, 2008

The celebration of life services for Sarah Mai (Sesler) Severtson, age 70, of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m, Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service.
Sarah passed away Friday, July 25, 2008, at her home, surrounded by her family, following a 20-month battle with colon cancer. Her courageous spirit and strong will is an inspiration for everyone.
Sarah Mai (Sesler) Severtson was born on Dec. 29, 1937, in Charlotte, Tenn., to Bob and Lillian Sesler. She attended Jackson Chapel School in Charlotte. Later she lived in Nashville and worked at the HG Hills and Co. grocery store. Sarah met her sweetheart Kenny at the Hippa Drome skating rink in Nashville. Kenny was in the Marine Corp and was stationed in Clarksville, Tenn. Upon his discharge they returned to Minnesota and were married in Northwood, Iowa, on March 3, 1956. They celebrated 52 years of marriage. To this marriage was the blessing of their daughter Konnie Jo. They spent many years at the Freeborn County Fair so Konnie could show her horses. Konnie had the most beautiful decorated horse stall due to Sarah. Sarah was a 52-year member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Sarah later worked at the Piggly Wiggly store and IGA store for 29 plus years in Albert Lea. Sarah’s hobbies included collecting antiques, gardening, collecting crystal baskets, knitting, crocheting, and quilting. She loved to entertain and was an excellent cook. There probably isn’t a number high enough to count the number of pots of coffee made at her home for all her company.
Sarah is survived by her husband, Kenny, of Albert Lea; daughter, Konnie Francis; and grandson, Jackson Francis of Sumner, Iowa. She is also survived by sisters, Betty Jones, Cynthia Cobb, Robbie Jo and husband Henry Davis; brother, Leroy Sesler and wife Ester; brothers-in-law, Carol Severtson, Dick Severtson, and Clayton Severtson of Glenville; sister-in-law, Leona Severtson, of Albert Lea; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Sarah was preceded in death by her parents; mother and father-in-law, Alfred and Katherine Severtson; brothers, Robert and James Sesler; sister, Patricia Perry; brother-in-law, Roger Jones; and sister-in-law, Hattie Mae Sesler, all of Tennesee, brothers-in-law, Val Severtson, Roger Severtson, and Faye Severtson of Albert Lea; sisters-in-law, Marvel Severtson and Pat Severtson of Glenville, Gina Marie Severtson of Albert Lea and Murial Hawkins of Loveland, Colo.
The family wishes to thank the Oncology Dept at ALMC, Hospice and all the many family and friends who have been there for Sarah.
Her southern voice, the roll of her brown eyes and her big heart made her Sarah Severtson. God bless her memory.