Sarah Mitchell Klockenbrink

Sarah Mitchell Klockenbrink passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 20, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida at age 86. She will be most remembered as a loving wife of 64 years, a wonderful mother (known only and always as Mama) of three sons, grandmother to seven grandchildren who she asked to call her “Jenny” because “grandma sounds to old” and Aunt Sarah to many nieces and nephews.

Born June 13, 1936, in Fort Dodge, Iowa; Sarah was the youngest of five siblings growing up in an idyllic Midwest town with a large extended family and deep roots in the community. Her father Granger was a journalist and editor of the Fort Dodge Messenger and her mother Marjorie (nee’ McQuilken) was a teacher and homemaker. She spent her summers at “Sleepy Hollow” on the “bluest lake in North America”, Lake Okoboji. Her parents, much to her chagrin decided to move to Boulder, Colorado upon her graduation from Fort Dodge Central High School. She adjusted to the Rocky Mountains and attended Mount Mary University (Milwaukee) before transferring to the University of Colorado in Boulder.

She was swept off her feet by a dashing and somewhat mysterious young man who had recently relocated from Washington DC to Colorado Springs. Their first date was skiing at Loveland and a marriage proposal followed only six weeks later. The couple married in August 1958 and twin boys arrived in June 1959. A third son followed in 1962 before her husband accepted a job with a start-up oddly named Xerox. This new job took them to Milwaukee for the next seven years before transferring to Pittsford, New York in 1970.

Sarah was an avid bridge player, gardener and enjoyed cooking and entertaining. She became a very good seamstress as very few clothes fit her petite frame. Her passion was raising her three boys and building a home that often times resembled a scene from a happy 60’s television series. Countless hours were spent talking and laughing around the dinner table. She swooned over Elvis and a good Bobby Darin song. Life took a mean turn in the early 80’s when she became afflicted with very aggressive rheumatoid arthritis.

Fred and Sarah relocated to Jacksonville, Florida in 1984 to be in warmer weather and close to the Mayo Clinic. Bridge and newcomers club were staples of day-to-day life. Sarah’s sweet tooth had no rival as she believed sugar to be a condiment added to everything. How Fred survived all these years is a medical nutrition miracle. Sarah was also a life-long dog lover and never turned down a trip to the beautiful Jacksonville Zoo. Sarah “might” have had a stubborn streak in her and she loved a good debate-as she said the Mitchells love to argue! As her grandchildren can also attest, She was never shy about asking the direct and bold personal questions!

Predeceased by her siblings Anne, Merope, and Richard, Sarah is survived by her brother Peter and wife Lou, Fred her husband of 64 years, three sons, Peter and wife Theresa and daughter Caitlin, Anthony and wife Kathy, Paul and partner Cate; grandchildren Kyle, Jennifer, Connor, Heidi, Stephanie, Mitchell and Emily.

Those who would like to honor Sarah’s legacy may donate to Jacksonville Zoo in her name.

A mass of christian burial for Sarah will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11665 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225.

A Committal ceremony at Chapel Hills Memory Gardens, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225 will be held immediately following Mass.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com for the Klockenbrink family.