Sass, Lilah J.

Lilah J. Sass, 86, of Iowa City, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, at Hallmar in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, with burial at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to Zion Lutheran Church or Hospice of Mercy in Cedar Rapids.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the Web at

Lilah Jean Plecker was born Dec. 18, 1922, in Washington County, Iowa, the daughter of Russell and Lottie (Miller) Plecker. She graduated from Sharon Township School. On July 14, 1942, she was united in marriage to Carroll W. Sass at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City. They had lived their entire married life in Iowa City, and for many years after retirement they wintered in Apache Junction, Ariz. She was employed at Sears in Iowa City for a number of years. They both were members of Zion Lutheran Church. Carroll died Feb. 27, 2008.

Her family includes her children, Jeanne Brecht (Jack) of Fairfax, Terry “Bill” Sass (Beth) of Alburnett, Cherrie Tetzlaff (Jerry) of Jacksonville, Ill., Robert Sass (Debbie) of Iowa City and Martin Sass (Karen) of Omaha, Neb.; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Dora Van Winkle (Lloyd) of Mount Pleasant.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son, William Leroy Sass; her grandson, Brian John Brecht; brothers, Everett and Lloyd Plecker; and sister, Fern Herdlicka.

A special thanks to Mr. Kevin Kramer of Hospice of Mercy and all the staff at Hallmar for their loving, compassionate care of our mother and grandmother.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Lilah's family and her services.