Sarah Rebecca Pietenpol
Dec. 28, 1948 - Sept. 2, 2024
Sarah Rebecca Pietenpol (nee Johnson) was reunited with her husband and the love of her life, Dale, on September 2, 2024. Born December 28,1948 in Milwaukee, she lived a life devoted to God, her family, and friends and her creative passions and generosity left a mark on the hearts of many.
Sarah is survived by her children: Faith (Craig Seefeld) Harrington, Lori (Tim) Wirsching, Drew Pietenpol and Rebecca (Paul) Pearson. Daughter to Eleanora Johnson. Sister to Eva (Jeff) Baehring (nee Johnson) and sister in-law to Mary Pietenpol (nee Harmmons). Proud and loving grandmother to Jacob, Caleigh and Emmalie Harrington, Jennika (Ryan) Confer, Micah Wirsching, Callan Pietenpol, Kaiden, Lauren and Madilyn Pearson; step-grandmother to Josh, Janelle, Jasmine Clohessy and Crystal (Cory) Honer (nee Clohessy), Zach (Emily) and Emma Seefeld and Aubrey (Andy) Rezeski (nee Seefeld) and great-grandmother to Kennedy Harrington. Sarah is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends.Ìý
Sarah is preceded in death by her husband, Dale; father, Carl Johnson Sr.; brother Carl Johnson Jr.; siblings-in-law, Ione Heinen (nee Pietenpol), Carol Debbink (nee Pietenpol), and Glenn Pietenpol; and nephew Brian Pietenpol and great-nephew and -niece, Mitchell and Abigail Pietenpol; and her many beloved pets, most notably her dog, Clinton.
Sarah met the love of her life, Dale Pietenpol, while attending UW-Milwaukee in December of 1966. They built a life together full of children, grandchildren, love and laughter.Ìý They shared over 56 years together before Dale was taken by cancer in early 2023.ÌýÂ
Sarah wore many hats in her days including homemaker, sales person, woolen mill owner/operator and dog boarding owner/operator. But the most important ones to her were wife, mother and grandmother. Sarah enjoyed spending time with her family as much as she could.Ìý There were many shared family vacations to places like Disney World, Mexico, cruises, Florida and water parks. Her children could always count on her to step in to help at a moment’s notice with grandchildren and she loved to attend their music recitals and sporting events. There were many sleepovers and camping trips with all 9 of the grandchildren and if she had had her way, sleepovers would have been an every-weekend occurrence.
Sarah also loved to spend time with her husband and their friends and travel and did a lot of both in their later years with church groups, friend groups and even a convertible group they became a part of once they bought their first Infinity.Ìý
Sarah had a passion for life and was never afraid to try new things. There aren’t many crafts she hasn’t taken up at some point in her life. She was a very talented seamstress and made most of the clothing for her first two daughters when they were young and loved to make matching outfits for the grandchildren for holidays and special occasions. She was a renowned cook, master canner and baker. She had a love for reading and a zest for life, venturing into classes with her children such as break-dancing, floral design and pastry making. She even recently mentioned that she would like to learn to play pickleball.
Sarah was active in her community. She was a member of the La Leche League, a foster parent, a leader for Saylesville Sparks 4-H Club and ran the SMÌìµØÂÛ̳ County 4-H kitchen. She was a transport volunteer for the Humane Animal Welfare Society of SMÌìµØÂÛ̳ County (HAWS). She also volunteered along with a couple of her granddaughters at the Wildlife in Need Center.
Sarah was a huge animal lover, as evidenced by her four dogs - Dutch, Daisy, Scarlet and Olivia, all who were rescues and/or foster fails. She had a hobby farm at their home in SMÌìµØÂÛ̳ where she raised everything from goats, sheep, alpacas, horses, Guinea hens, peacocks, turkeys and chickens. She still had a flock that was Ã’smallÓ by her standards, made up of 25 hens.
As we say goodbye to Sarah, we celebrate a life filled with a devotion to her family that was unmatched and a passion for all her endeavors. We remember her infectious laugh and her silly humor. And we will cherish the legacy she leaves behind which is one of love, a reminder to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones, and to approach life with a spirited heart. Sarah’s memory will continue to inspire and guide us, and we will hold tight to the memories and the love she shared so freely.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, September 26, at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church (2016 Center Road, SMÌìµØÂÛ̳) beginning at 3 PM followed by the funeral service at 5 PM.Ìý
In loving memory of Sarah, we invite contributions to the Humane Animal Welfare Society of SMÌìµØÂÛ̳ County in lieu of flowers.
For those unable to attend, those wishing to share a memory or those wanting to just sign the online guest registry, please go to: .Ìý
Thelen Funeral Services of North Prairie/Genesee, 262-392-4251, is honored to be assisting the family.Ìý