Moon Ja Sa

1940 - 2025

Moon Ja Sa

August 2, 1940 - February 27, 2025

Beloved mother, joyous friend, loving wife, faithful & accepting of all.

"Love is the song of all the angels of God." William Law, Priest.

Moon Ja Sa (Kang), 84, peacefully joined her Lord on February 27, 2025. Her life radiated with faith, finding strength in prayer and sharing her belief in spiritual healing with all she touched. Even as cancer returned and memory faded, her joy bloomed brighter. She embraced her caregivers at Apple Creek Place and Compassus hospice as family, while daughters Soozung and Mimi often journeyed from afar to be with her.

Until her final days, Moon's gentle spirit filled rooms with classical melodies, her piano playing, daily devotions, and studies. Her artistic soul transformed spaces into sanctuaries, her quiet laughter a testimony to finding beauty in life's simplest moments.

She served faithfully alongside her beloved husband, The Reverend Zi Hyung Sa, until his passing in 2008. Together they chartered Wisconsin's first Korean United Methodist Church and three more congregations. After his death, she reflected, "I feel connected with Zi because of his effort to lead these churches with his prayer and love of God."

Born in Korea and educated at Ewha Womans University, Moon carried cherished friendships across continents and years. Her letters often contained wisdom: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for by doing, some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2) She lived by her favorite Lowell quote, "There are two weaknesses: that which breaks, and that which bends," to which Moon wrote simply, "I learned how to bend, never disappointed." Moon never lost her capacity for wonder in nature and she will be remembered for her genuine delight in people and her profound love for all animals.

Moon is survived by her loving daughters Soozung Sa Rankin in Philadelphia and Miraan (Mimi) Sa in London; Soozung's husband, Brian A. Rankin, and her grandson, Robert Zi Allen Rankin; and Mimi's husband, Philippe Denis. She is also survived by her nephews, Suk Hoon, Kyung Hoon, and Ji Hoon Kang in Seoul, South Korea.

A memorial visitation will be held for Moon from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St, Appleton, WI 54911 with a memorial service led by The Reverend Dong Su Lee to follow at 4:30 p.m. Reception at 5:30 p.m.

Many friends and family members are aware of how Moon cherished the fact that her husband and both daughters attended Lawrence University. Her deep connection to LU was further strengthened by the caring relationships many faculty and staff maintained with her, extending the same lifelong bonds they had formed with her husband. Moon's profound faith and love for those around her remains her enduring legacy. Her family has indicated that sharing memories of her is all that is needed. However, if you'd like to give, in place of flowers, the family requests donations to Lawrence University's fund for international students in need as a fitting tribute to her memory. You can select "International Student Scholarships" under "designation" when the donation is made: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/25681/donations/new?amt=. There will be the option to indicate the gift is in memory of Moon Ja Sa.

For those who would prefer to make other gestures, donations to an animal rescue organization of your choice in her name would be welcome, or you may order a memorial tree or send flowers to the family in Moon's memory, please visit her obituary page at www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com.