Sarah Keffer

Sarah Keffer

1929 – 2016

Sarah got her Christmas wish.  On December 13, 2016, Sarah L. Keffer left us to be with her husband of 65 years.  We are sad for our loss but know she is at peace.  She lived a full life and did remarkable things in her 87 years.

Sarah was born June 9, 1929 to Charles and Mildred Manning.  She grew up in Glendive, Montana and graduated from Dawson County High School where she was a member of every club she could join.  She moved to Great Falls to attend college and where she met a handsome Airman, (Auvel) Henry Keffer.  They were married September 23, 1950.  She graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing and then joined Henry with their daughter Sue in Alaska.  While in Alaska their sons, James and John were born.  They moved to Florida where their last son Jeffery was born.

When the family moved to Utah, Sarah went to work as a nurse at Hill Air Force Base.  She became the charge nurse in the emergency room and was the third nurse in the state of Utah to be certified as an emergency nurse.  She earned a Master’s Degree from Brigham Young University.

Sarah loved to travel, whether it was to explore castles in Germany, the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt or the Kremlin in Russia.  She was always up for an adventure.  She retired in 1990 and began a new chapter in her life.  She cruised the world dragging Henry with her.  They purchased a fifth wheel spending many days and weeks camping so Henry could fish with their sons and their families.  A highlight for them was a cross country adventure to West Virginia for their fiftieth Wedding Anniversary and the return drive across Canada.

With her eye sight failing Sarah moved to Chancellor Gardens where she has lived for past eleven months.  We thank the lovely ladies at her table, Hazel, Jean, Lois, and Sharon for looking out for her and including her in the “Out to Lunch Bunch”.  Sarah spoke with great fondness about each of them.  We are grateful for all the caring support of the staff.  We are especially grateful to Ashley and the IHC Hospice team for their care and attention as they watched over Sarah.

Sarah is survived by her children: Sue (Mike) of West Point, James (Beverly) of Seattle, John (Kim) of Park City and Jeffery (Susan) of Portland.  Nana is survived by six grandchildren: Brian, Benjamin, Jason, Jordan, Haley, and Erika and one great-granddaughter Helena.

Funeral services will be held Saturday December 17, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary 1867 No. Fairfield Rd.  Friends may visit with family Saturday from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. at the mortuary.  Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd.