Sarah Kercheval, 77 of Montezuma passed away Tuesday afternoon, December 22, 2020 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Memorial services will begin at 11:00 am Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Montezuma. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the church. Burial will be held at a later time at the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Sarah Anne (Giles) Kercheval was born November 5, 1943 to James M. Jr. and Altavena (Hinrichs) Giles in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Sarah was an only child. She was raised in Fort Dodge and graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1961. She then attended Fort Dodge Junior College and went on to attend State College of Iowa in Cedar Falls, (now UNI) where she earned her B.A. Degree in Secondary Education in 1965. It was at State College where she met her future husband, John Kercheval.

Sarah taught Jr. High English in the Morton, IL school system and after moving to Montezuma taught Jr. High English for several years. Education was important to Sarah. Over the years, she took classes at several colleges including UNI, University of Iowa, Drake, Central College and William Penn. Sarah loved learning in a classroom setting and always said she was somewhat of a "professional student". Her greatest educational achievement came later in life when she was accepted into the University of Iowa writing program where she earned her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Nonfiction Writing in 2002. Sarah then became a college professor at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where she taught for 15 years. She taught Composition and Communication classes and was director of the Academic Resource Center. She also taught Ceramics in the Art Department for a year. While at William Penn, she received several Excellence in Instruction Awards. Sarah loved teaching and loved her students.

Besides education, Sarah had many talents and interests. She loved music; especially playing the piano. Sarah gave piano lessons for several years to local area students in her home. She also played the piano at the Methodist Church and loved playing duets with her friend, Sally Johnston. Sarah was a member of the local Bell Choir and enjoyed performing with them. She also taught herself to play the guitar and banjo.

Church played a big role in Sarah's life. At the time of her passing.   she was a member of both the First Presbyterian Evangelical Church and the United Methodist Church in Montezuma. She had a strong faith and commitment and read her Bible faithfully. She enjoyed the Bible Studies of both churches and looked forward to attending them. Sarah taught Sunday School at the Methodist Church and wrote articles for the church newsletter. She enjoyed being a part of the after-school programs at the Presbyterian Church; Kings Kids and Good News Girls. Working with their leaders, Marcia Kivi, Brenda Kercheval, Mary Lu Watson and Rhonda Minner was a special joy.

Another outside interest was attending garage and tag sales and purchasing items to add to her collections of dolls, dishes and art. Sarah liked to buy and sell items on E-Bay and tried to maintain a "Top Seller" rating. She had several booths at the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall in Des Moines where she sold items. Sarah had a love for animals, especially stray dogs and cats that needed homes. Her household usually had several pets acquired through animal shelters and she gave them all a good home. Sarah's top priority was her family. She tried to support and encourage her children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors. She wanted each to have an opportunity to succeed in whatever path they chose and was always available to help in any way she could.

Sarah lived an active life even though she had to contend with type "1" diabetes for over 50 years. She successfully managed her diabetic condition and did not let it slow her down. Sarah passed away at age 77 on December 22, 2020 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines from complications of pneumonia (not Covid related). She had been in their Critical Care Unit for 23 days.

Sarah is survived by her husband of 57 years, John Kercheval of Montezuma; her children, Deborah (Dan) Holte of Kirksville, MO, Nick (Xia) Kercheval of Scottsdale, AZ and David (Ami) Kercheval of Des Moines; her grandchildren, Nathaniel (Sydney) Holte, Kallie Holte, Cohen Holte, Gavin Kercheval, Parker Kercheval, Liam King, Kaylee King and Shawna Byrne; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Sarah was preceded in death by her parents and two children, Jim Kercheval and Polly Kercheval.