Carolyn Sager

Carolyn Sager, 77 of Devils Lake formerly of Starkweather, ND passed away on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral Services for Carolyn will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Lori Broschat officiating. Burial will be in the Methodist Cemetery, rural Starkweather, ND.

Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a time of prayer and remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

Carolyn was born on October 22, 1940 at Devils Lake, ND the first of 10 children born to Merle and Cora (Kjelden) Horner. She was raised and educated in Devils Lake, graduating from Central High School with the class of 1958.  She attended Minot State College for a year studying elementary education.

Carolyn was united in marriage to Harold “Bob” Sager on July 25, 1959 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. They established their home on the Sager farm, rural Starkweather and lived, worked and raised their family and called it home until moving to Devils Lake in 1987.  Carolyn and Bob shared 52 years of love and marriage until his death on October 19, 2011. 

While living at Starkweather, Carolyn worked at the Post Office and also as a substitute teacher. She was very active in the Methodist Church and taught Sunday School and led the music for over 20 years.  After moving to Devils Lake, Carolyn’s passion for helping people was used in her job as Pastoral Care Director at Mercy Hospital for many years.  She also served as a Lay Speaker, wrote many sermons and filled in for Pastor’s on vacation or as a short term interim Pastor in many churches in the Lake Region. 

Music was such a huge part of her life and she passed that onto her family. She volunteered in many ways in the community and also shared her love of music with the “Sweet Adeline’s”.  Carolyn enjoyed crossword puzzles and embroidery.  She also was a fierce Scrabble player.  Carolyn spent hours with her grandchildren and had a huge impact on their early lives. 

Carolyn leaves us saddened in this earthly life, but we rejoice as she goes home to her Lord and Savior.

Carolyn’s loving family includes her son Rich Sager and his wife Kelly of Starkweather; grandchildren Morgan (Greg) Fee, Devils Lake, Zach (fiancé Holly) Sager, Moorhead, MN, Ethan Sager, Rapid City, SD. Patrick (Danielle) Rethemeier, Gardner, ND, Jon (Leslie) Rethemeier, Emerado, ND and Jason (Annie) Rethemeier, Larimore, ND; four great grandchildren; son-in-law Glenn Rethemeier; brother and sisters John (Lisa) Horner, Lewiston, ID, Myrna Unger, Devils Lake, Harriet Horner (Doug Omdahl), Fordville, ND, Vicki (Tom) Gerstbrein, New Berlin, WI and Dori (Brad) Horne, Penn, ND; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Patricia Horner, Signe Sager and Dale (Sandra) Nystrom; numerous nieces and nephews.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, daughter Wanda Rethemeier, brothers Perry, Dwight and Andy Horner; sister Ida Mae Nystrom; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Laura (Otto) Streitzel, Lyle (Hilda) Sager, Mable (Alex) Oshanyk, Vern (Palmer) Danielson, Warren (Alice) Sager, Melvin Sager, Leota (Franklyn) Daly, Hazel (Bjarne) Berg and Illa (Joe) Bauman.  

Music will be provided by Kevin Regan and Elizabeth Berg.

Casket Bearers are Carolyn’s grandsons Zach and Ethan Sager, Patrick, Jon and Jason Rethemeier and Greg Fee. Reading Scripture will be Zach Sager.