Sara Melissa Sammons, age 53 of New Ulm died peacefully with her family by her side on October, 26, 2023, at the Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids after a hard fought 9-year battle with ovarian cancer.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at The Franklin Event Center (formerly known as Inspire) in New Ulm led by her brother-in-law, Patrick Belisle. Parking is encouraged at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home North Chapel, or in the city parking lot behind The Franklin.
The visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Wednesday, November 1st at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-North Chapel in New Ulm. The visitation will continue from 10-11 am on Thursday at The Franklin Event Center in New Ulm.
To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org
Sara is survived by her loving husband, Chad Sammons, of New Ulm; her daughters, Gabriella “Gabby” Sammons of Watertown, South Dakota, Natalie Sammons of New Ulm; her dogs, Beauty and Molly; her sisters, Stacy (Doug) Neis of Minneapolis, Jane (Patrick) Belisle of Charlottesville, Virginia; her brother, Matt (Heidi Simon) Rettmer of Castle Rock, Colorado; her mother-in-law, Mary (Mike) McLaughlin of Luverne; her mother-in-law, Ronda Sammons of Round Lake, her sisters in/law Angela (Robert) Sneller of Luverne, and Lindsay (Tom) Jenniges of Ellsworth, step-sister-in-law Ashley (Kevin Siemers) Harms, step-brother-in-law Anthony (Nikki) Voss, and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Conrad and Sandra Rettmer; her father-in-law, Michael Sammons; and her brother-in-law, Eric Sammons.
Sara Melissa Rettmer was born September 21, 1970, in Tracy, Minnesota to Conrad and Sandra (Starken) Rettmer. Growing up in Tracy, Sara was a 1989 graduate from Tracy High School. She furthered her education at Southwest State University in Marshall where she attained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Sara was united in marriage to Chad Sammons on April 20, 1996, at the Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy, Minnesota. This union blessed the couple with two daughters whom together they raised throughout the midwest, and eventually New Ulm. Over the course of her working career, Sara experienced many different fields.
She started her financial career working at the Citibank of Sioux Falls. She and Chad later moved to Sioux City, Iowa where she was employed at MCI. Later in life, she worked in software development at Mastery Point in Eden Prairie. The family later moved to Willmar, where Sara worked as the customer service assistant manager at Cub Foods, and later worked in administration at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar where she worked as a diabetes coordinator. When the family moved to Rhinelander, Wisconsin, Sara continued her work in the hospital field, where she was employed as an admissions director.
The family eventually moved to New Ulm where she returned to the banking industry and worked as a Universal Banker with the Frandsen Bank and Trust of New Ulm. When she wasn’t working, there were a variety of hobbies and passions she had in life. Sara always enjoyed a good shopping trip, and going out to eat with her family. She was a sports fan and avid cheerleader her entire life. From following her daughter’s volleyball and softball games, to cheering for any Minnesota team, there was very little she didn’t miss.
To relax, Sara enjoyed reading or watching the cycles of the moon; especially solar and lunar eclipses. What brought her the most joy in her life was always her family. She cherished every moment she got to spend with them, and loved getting to see her daughters grow. Sara was the type of person who could immediately light up a room with her smile and contagious laugh. She was known by many as the “party starter” in the family. Where she was, fun always followed. Sara led her life with purpose, and also led it with a kind, thoughtful, and generous heart. She will be remembered for countless attributes, but what she will be most remembered for is her feisty, inspirational attitude she always had. Sara was truly a warrior at heart. She never let her cancer diagnosis change or define her, and she fought courageously until the very end.
These memories and countless others will forever stay in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of having Sara in their life. Blessed be her memory.