Stoltenberg, Sayde D.

TIPTON - Sayde D. Stoltenberg, 97, of Tipton, died Friday, Oct. 15, 2010, at Cedar Manor Nursing Home, Tipton. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Oct. 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton. A memorial funeral service for all her family and friends will be held Saturday, Nov. 13, at 10:30 a.m. at First United Church of Christ, Tipton, with the Rev. David Lorenzen officiating. Burial will follow in Tipton Masonic Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the committal services.

Sayde, daughter of Douwe J. and Jantje Minnema Westra, was born March 18, 1913, in Freisland, Wis. She received her diploma in nursing from Mount Sinai Hospital in Milwaukee, Wis., her certificate in Public Health Nursing from the University of Michigan, Lansing, Mich., her BSN from Olivet Nazarene College, Kankakee, Ill., and her MSN from Governor's State University, Matteson, Ill. On March 11, 1945, she was united in marriage to C. James Stoltenberg in Baraboo, Wis. Together they resided in Baraboo, Wis., Homewood, Crete and Kankakee, Ill., and eventually ended up in Tipton, Iowa, a place they called home for the last 21 years.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, C. James Stoltenberg of Tipton; two daughters, Kathryn (Dr. Lawrence) Allen of Moline, Ill., and Joani (Art) Keihn of Seattle, Wash.; four grandchildren, Laurel Allen, Katy Kiehn, Douglas (Amy) Allen and Matthew (Jennifer) Allen; and four great-grandchildren, Lauren, Kegan, Thomas and Brenna.

She was preceded in death by her son, John, and daughter-in-law, Kathy Husband; four brothers, John, Bill, Dewey and Jasper; and four sisters, Gertie, Susie, Dora and Rena.

Sadye lived a life filled with love, compassion, wisdom, service, determination, generosity, learning and teaching. Everywhere she lived, and in all things she did, she made a difference. She relished the domestic arts of cooking, baking and decorating; and loved to entertain family, friends and those far from home around her dining table. She excelled in the creative arts of sewing, knitting, and crocheting and delighted in sharing her creations generously with friends and family. She organized classes and outreach programs in the churches she attended.

In her career as a nurse, she worked in many fields from intensive care to public health. One of her proudest achievements was as a co-founder of the Hospice of Kankakee Valley, a program to which she was devoted. She received community service recognition awards from the Rotary Clubs of Kankakee and Tipton, a Senior Advocacy Award from the state of Iowa, and both Volunteer of the Year and Mother of the Year awards from Cedar Manor Nursing Home.

Sadye was the cherished wife of her Jim for 65 years. Her children, their families, many nieces and nephews and numerous friends held her in great affection and admiration. She was a deeply attentive listener and was looked to for her advice and wisdom on many occasions. She reached out to everyone in her world, touching their lives with tenderness. Her love was expressed with abundance, grace, and joy.

A memorial gift in her honor may be donated to Cedar Manor Nursing Home, the Hospice of Kankakee Valley or a charity of your choice.

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