I have decided that the best person to write about me is me! If you are reading this, it’s because the AML won in the end. I was dealt a crappy hand but played it as best as I could. In the end, I lost; although I didn’t go down without a fight!
I was born to Warren and LaDonna (Heneman) Sauerbrei on September 12, 1954. I grew up on a farm south of West Union with five siblings (Marie, Marvin, Mark, Marcia, and Marty). I have an abundance of great memories growing up including: showing cattle, playing school sports, participating in 4-H, and hanging out with friends. At the time, I didn’t think farming was fun, but looking back, it wasn’t so bad.
I graduated from North High in 1972. While in 10th grade, I asked a boy to the Valentine’s dance who turned me down, but later became the love of my life for almost fifty years. After High School, I did the college thing attending AIB in Des Moines, earning my associate’s degree. This took me through several interesting (and not-so-interesting) careers, but my favorite was being a mom and nana.
On December 22, 1973, I married that boy from High School, Nichlas McIntyre. We were lucky enough to become parents to four very active, rambunctious boys. They definitely gave me a run for my money and I’m lucky to have survived coming out with several gray hairs, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
When I had free time, I loved to read and listen to jazz, blues, Irish jigs, and classics, even going to Blues Fest several times. I loved to spend time in Lansing, my happy place… at first just with our boys boating on the river; and later at our “cabin” that we enjoyed with the family & friends hanging around the campfire or taking the boats to the beach, we may have even enjoyed a few adult beverages or two there as well.
I am leaving behind a lot of people that love me and will keep my memory alive; my husband, Nichlas; our boys and daughters-in-law, Travis (Norma), Andrew (Jenny), Nathan (Angie), Zachary (Missy); our eleven grandchildren, Jessica, Sawyer, Chandler (Summer), Chelsea, Kyra, Lilly, Liam, Reid, Kael, Gavin and Harper; great-grandkids, Bentley and Hazel; my father, Warren; my siblings, Marvin (Mavis), Mark (Caroll), Marcia (Kevin) and Marty (Bev); siblings-in-law: Holly (Ron) Heying and John (Tami) McIntyre; my aunts, Verlain, Virginia, Veronica and Valitha; and numerous cousins, neighbors and friends.
I was preceded in death by my mother, LaDonna (Heineman); my sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Lawrence Schneider; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Verla and Newell McIntyre; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Walter and Julie Ash. I was also preceded in death by my long-time best friend, Mari Eitel, whom I cherished dearly.
Cancer was a hard journey. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. It involved numerous hospital stays, countless needles, and continuously not feeling well. I’d like you all to take comfort in knowing that I will rest in peace. I know I will not feel alone because I have a lot of special people waiting to reunite with me.
Thanks for taking the time to read my obituary. You learned a little about me and my journey through life. Now go out in the world and make a difference, and if you can’t… “Eat a Rock!”
There will be a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Rustic Chic Event Center in West Union, Iowa.
Inurnment will be held at a later date.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.