Sara Vande Brake

Sara VanDe Brake, 39, of Sioux Center, IA died unexpectedly Friday, November 25, 2011 at her parent's home near Matlock, IA. A visitation will be held Tuesday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A graveside committal service will be held Wednesday at 9:30AM at the Greenwood Cemetery at Matlock, IA. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 11AM at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Mark Verbruggen officiating. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the VanDe Brake family prefer memorial donations to Hope Haven, Inc. of Rock Valley, IA. Sara Marie VanDe Brake was born in Sheldon, Iowa, on Nov. 30, 1971, to Lynn and Cindy (Vellema) VanDe Brake. Sara attended grade school at Sheldon Christian and Sheldon public grade schools. She graduated from Western Christian High School in Hull in 1990. While in high school Sara earned the Bulldog Award from the Marine Corps. This honor is awarded to persons who exhibit great courage and perseverance in the face of adversity. Jesus was the Lord of Sara's life and she trusted His plan for her. She was a professing member of First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, and loved her church family. Her Thursday night friendship group and Sunday school class brought her great joy. For 20 years, Sara was employed in the deli at the Sioux Center Hy-Vee. The camaraderie and support she received from her co-workers and customers was priceless. She also valued her time volunteering at Royale Meadows Health Center. Sara was happiest on the days she was kept busy helping others. Sara never met a person she didn't call a friend and always made time for a smile and a big hug for her friends whether she was working at the deli or getting lunch at Taco John's. In spite of the tremendous physical challenges Sara faced, she loved her life. She enjoyed bowling and placed first in the regional Iowa Special Olympics this year. She treasured time with her friends and family, looking forward to "Let's Go" activities with her friends and visiting her parents' home in Sheldon, especially when all of her sisters, brothers-in-law and nephews and nieces were there. Sara loved family gatherings with her aunts, uncles and cousins. Left to cherish her memories are her parents, Lynn and Cindy VanDe Brake of Sheldon; sisters and brothers-in-law, Abby and Jason McCoid of Sioux City, and their sons, Taylor and Gabe; Cristy and Mike Mosey of Kuna, Idaho, and their daughter, Cyndi; and Laura and Mark Cassada of Liverpool, N.Y., and their daughters, Sunnie and Piper. Sara was surrounded by the love of many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends also left to remember her. It gives those of us who loved her such comfort to know that Sara was greeted in heaven by Jesus as well as her paternal grandparents, Gerald and Ruth VanDe Brake; maternal grandparents, Henry and Bertha Vellema; her uncle, Kenny Vellema; and many other friends who have passed.