Obituary of Sarah Lynne Benz

    Sarah Lynne Benz was born March 8, 1981, in Sibley, IA, to parents, Teresa (Drenkow) Pomrenke and Kenny Benz. Raised in Sibley, Sarah attended Sibley-Ocheyedan schools, graduating in 1999. During her high school years, Sarah participated in volleyball, softball, track, and enjoyed being a lifeguard. She was also an active member of the FFA and was recognized for her academic excellence as a member of the National Honor Society.

    Following graduation, Sarah attended Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, IA. She earned her registration as dental hygienist and served clinics in several areas. She truly enjoyed this work and loved her patients. In 2011, Sarah married Michael Janssen, and they resided in Statesville, NC. They welcomed two children: Sterling Michael (2013) and Kennedy Lynne (2015). Eventually, the family relocated to Iowa to be near loved ones. The couple later divorced.

    Sarah’s presence was a blessing to all who knew her; her bright smile and sparkling eyes could light up a room. With a spark of mischief and a heart of gold, Sarah’s extraordinary gift for connecting with others allowed her to effortlessly strike up conversations and forge meaningful relationships. Her membership at First Lutheran Church in Milford gave her the opportunity to help with their Sunday School program, a position she thoroughly enjoyed. She delighted in simple pleasures: belting out her favorite tunes at full volume, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings, Notre Dame and Iowa during football season, and sharing laughter-filled moments with those around her. Yet, her greatest joy was her children, Sterling and Kennedy. They were her life and her world, and she was forever proud of them. Together, they created a lifetime of memories from going to Arnold’s Park to rocking out at concerts, cozy movie nights, dressing up for school and holiday events, and just spontaneous fun. Her love for them was boundless, and her legacy will live on through their laughter, smiles, and adventurous spirits.

    On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Sarah passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 43 years; our hearts are heavy as she left us far too soon. She is once again reunited with loved ones who have gone before: her grandparents: Richard and Yvonne Benz, Marvin Drenkow, Bonnie and George Pomrenke, Jr., uncle, Brad Julius, and brother, Rick Benz.

    Those left to cherish Sarah’s memory are her beloved children: Sterling and Kennedy of Milford, IA; parents: Teresa and Jerry Pomrenke of Milford, IA and Kenny and Sheila Benz of Melvin, IA; sister, Victoria (Jeremy Johnson) and their children: Skylar and Connor of Kansas City, KS; step-brothers: Mitchell Pomrenke (Jesica Heidbrink) and their children: Jack and Andie of Yankton, SD, Chris (Becky) Scharlepp and their children: Kayla, Haley, and Lily of Rock Valley, IA, and Nate DeVos of Colorado Springs, CO; half-brother, Taylor Lillquist of Lakefield, MN; grandmother, Shirley Drenkow of Melvin, IA; and many relatives and friends. 

Here is the link to the YouTube Memorial Service for Sarah

https://youtube.com/live/_R5Ib9SYcKE

We invite all who knew and loved Sarah to join us

in honoring her memory and celebrating her life.