Sara Anne Person
August 24, 1939 - July 1, 2024
Sara Anne Person, 84, of Fremont, died Monday, July 1, 2024, in her home surrounded by loved ones.
Sara was born on August 24, 1939, to Lawrence and Virginia (Howe) Henderson in San Francisco, California. The second youngest of six siblings, she grew up in Berkeley, California participating in multiple activities, including Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls, basketball, and volleyball. She graduated high school in Berkeley and then went on to attain her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. During college she joined Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and later was active in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority Fremont chapter. She attended Art school in Norway and spent 1 year there immersing herself in the history and culture of the Norwegian people.
Sara's first full time kindergarten teaching job was in Pacific Grove, California. While there she met Russell Dean Person at a dance cosponsored by the local school district and military base. They were married on January 1, 1966, and moved to Russell's home state of Nebraska where they settled in Fremont. She taught kindergarten in Fremont Public Schools for a couple years until the birth of her first son Carl. The births of her second son Ray and then daughter Linda followed soon thereafter.
Carl was born with cerebral palsy and Sara worked diligently with the Fremont Public School system over many years to establish permanent policy changes and programs which would allow children with special needs to actively participate inside public school classrooms. She also worked with the City of Fremont to have handicap accessible ramps installed at various intersections in Fremont. She was also involved in Pilot Parents & March of Dimes.
Starting in 1974, Sara was an active volunteer in leadership positions for the Fremont-based troops of the Girl Scouts of America. She loved outdoor, hands-on activities, leading the girls on many camping trips and excursions in the local Nebraska area and around the country. She continued to volunteer for over 25 years and was given the GS Thanks Award in 1999.
Once her own children were old enough to be self-sufficient in the public schools she started ''Preschool 4 Little Persons,'' which she operated for many years helping many children in Fremont get off to a great start in school.
Over the years, Sara and Russ hosted two AFS foreign high school students (from Germany & Finland) and 3 AFS foreign teachers (from Thailand, Russia, China).
She had a wonderful retirement, getting the opportunity to travel around the world with Russ. She loved going back to her family's cabin in Pinecrest, California, where she could relax on the water with friends and family. She and Russ also enjoyed activities such as square dancing and were active participants and volunteers at Salem Lutheran church. Sara was involved with the Association of Retired School Personnel.
Sara is survived by 2 sisters, Marty Meyer of Petaluma, California, and Ginger Henderson Smith of San Jose, California; her 3 children, Carl Person of Fremont, Nebraska, and Raymond Person of Portland, Oregon, and Linda (Rob) Rosenthal of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three grandchildren: Daniel, Sara, and Michael Rosenthal; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sara was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, and two brothers.
The memorial service will be held Friday July 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church, family meet & greet at 1:00. Internment of Sara's ashes will be in Sunset View Cemetery in El Cerrito, California.
Memorials may be directed to the family for distribution. Ludvigsen Mortuary in charge of local arrangements.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
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1249 E. 23rd St.
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