Sarah Renstrom Jaksa

In the early hours of August 18, 2018, Sarah Katherine (Brown) Renstrom Jaksa lost a long-fought battle with cancer. Sarah was born in Mishawaka, IN of parents Vera (Caruthers) Brown and Corder T. Brown. She spent her younger years in Dallas, TX and the Minneapolis/St Paul, MN where she graduated from Southwest High School and earned a degree in French from Macalester College. After a brief career in teaching, Sarah moved to Kalamazoo, MI. Her drive to "make a difference" led to positions as County Commissioner and Chair of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party. She earned a Masters of Public Administration from WMU while she was Director of the Southcentral Michigan Commission on Aging. After 10 years as Director of Senior Health Services at St Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, she happily retired to live life to the fullest with her loving husband of 38 years, Jim Jaksa. Together, Sarah & Jim enjoyed travel to 18 countries & throughout the US, golf, tennis, bike rides, theater, gardening, concerts, the arts and spending time with their family. Much joy was brought to Sarah's life in her extraordinary friendships with lifelong high school and Mac College friends, neighbors and numerous other friends she cherished along the way. Sarah exhibited a joy for life in everything she did. She brightened a room when she entered. Her thirst for knowledge was limitless and she could speak intelligently about anything from politics to sports to classical music. She shared her opinions thoughtfully, openly and with conviction and inspired others to be the best they could be. Sarah was preceded in death by both of her parents and her loyal pets Bernie & H Rap Superfoot. She was surrounded in life by a loving family: husband James Jaksa, sister Martha (Dean) Brusegar of Madison, WI; step-children who she said "brought joy to my life" - Julie Jaksa of Madison, WI; Cate (Eddie) Schindler of Round Rock, TX; Jeff (Jan) Jaksa of Hyattsville, MD; Pat (Bob) Beswick of Woodstock, GA; John (Kelly) Jaksa of Veazie, ME and Jenny (Wayne) Bennett of Leominster, MA. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren Cora (Jay) Gonzalez (TX), Cason Schindler (TX), Kayin, Rakaia and Rebekah Jaksa (ME), Nico Rodriguez (WV) and Tanner Jaksa (TN). Brother-in-law George (Esther) Jaksa and extensive cousins, step-nieces/nephews and friends also mourn her loss. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sept 01, 2018 at 1:00 pm at People's Church in Kalamazoo, where Sarah was a member. The family welcomes you to share condolences and memories of Sarah on our Guestbook on: www.langelands.com. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to: People's Church of Kalamazoo MI, Macalester College of St. Paul MN, Kalamazoo Democratic Party or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Sarah's legacy is not only in the positive impact she had on her family, friends and community but also in her energetic presence, intelligence, lasting friendships, zest for life and infectious and memorable laugh. She was a loyal friend, a loving parent and a dedicated wife. Sarah's spirit will live on in the minds and hearts of all.