Margaret Sauer

Judge Margaret L. Sauer, 62, passed away February 9, 2014 in her home, where she has been surrounded by devoted friends and loving family, nine months after being diagnosed with brain cancer. She was truly a remarkable woman whose energy, intellect, and smile will be missed by the many people whose lives she touched.

She was born February 25, 1951 in New York City to Dr. Gordon and Mary L. Sauer. The family later moved to Kansas City where Margaret graduated from Southwest High School, Class of 1969.

Margaret committed her professional life to civic service—first as a teacher, then as a lawyer in the public sector, and finally as an Associate Circuit Judge of Jackson County.

Margaret earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, followed by a Master of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Kansas. She taught in the Kansas City Public School District for several years, and then administered the hospital-based school program at Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Margaret earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1983. She served as Legal Counsel for the Jackson County Public Administrator and then worked for fifteen years in the Circuit Court’s Probate Division as Legal Counsel from 1985-1991 and Deputy Commissioner from 1991-2000.

In May 2000, Margaret was appointed to the 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri as an Associate Circuit Judge by Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Margaret was awarded the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Foundation Public Service Award in 1994. She was president of the Association of Women Lawyers in 1996 and chaired the Probate and Estate Committee. In 2000, she received the Judicial Recognition Award from the Association of Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City.

Margaret contributed in many ways to the good of the Kansas City community. She was a board member of Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance (LEAP), a group affiliated with Operation Breakthrough. For many years, she was a dedicated mentor and generous supporter and was honored as Queen of the L.E.A.P. Mardi Gras. For many years, Margaret was a member of the Lyric Opera Guild as well as an Annual Fund donor and subscriber. She was a sustaining member of the Junior League.

Margaret loved to travel! Margaret would visit lifelong friends, wherever they lived, and go with them on trips. With friends and family, she explored Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, Austria, Morocco, England and the Caribbean Islands. With her church group, she had traveled to the Holy Land.

She took considerable pride in the family farm she had purchased when her father died, mowing on a tractor, walking with her dogs Jack and Willow, and entertaining her beloved friends.

Margaret was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Gordon Sauer, her husband, Doug Balcombe, and her brother-in-law, Mike Doyle. She is survived by her stepchildren, Jeff, April and Colin and their families; her mother, Mary Lou Sauer, her sisters, Amy Doyle and Beth Sauer, and her brother, Dr. Gordon Sauer and his wife, Teresa; and her nieces and nephews—Jennifer (Andy), Mike (Liza), Brian, Rebecca, Gordy (Claire), and Adam (Kinzie) and their children—they brought so much joy to her life and her legacy will live on through them!

The family is grateful to her compassionate staff of Kansas City Hospice. The family also wishes to express their deep appreciation for Margaret’s friends for their on-going support, care, and devotion so apparent and welcome to the end.

Margaret was a member of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.

Visitation will be at Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd, Kansas City from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14. The memorial service will be held in Wesley Covenant Chapel, East Building, The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice or The Nature Conservancy.

Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.