Sara Beth Gschwendtner

1971 - 2025

Sara Beth (Bauknecht) Gschwendtner

November 3, 1971 - August 15, 2025

Sara Beth (Bauknecht) Gschwendtner, age 53, of Pontiac, IL, passed away with her loving family by her side at 1:45 p.m., on Friday, August 15, 2025, at OSF St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac, IL.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church, located at 210 N. Deerfield Road, Pontiac, IL, 61764. A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2025, from 3:00 p.m., until 8:00 p.m., also at the church. Inurnment will follow the service at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Pontiac, IL. Pastor Christine McNeal will be presiding over her services.

Memorials in Sara's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pontiac, IL.

Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Sara was born on November 3, 1971, in Pontiac, IL, to Ted and Virginia (Roth) Bauknecht. They survive in Pontiac, IL. Dan Gschwendtner, her loving husband of 28 years, survives in Pontiac. Also proudly surviving are her two children, Grace (Cyler Jackson) Gschwendtner of Sunrise Beach, MO and Max Gschwendtner of Pontiac, IL.

Other survivors include one brother: Scott (Jennifer) Bauknecht of Pontiac, IL; four brothers-and-sisters in law: Denny (Kyra) Gschwendtner of Pontiac, IL, DeeDee (David) Stine of Danvers, IL, Dawn (Matt) Dewald of Pontiac, IL, Doug (Tiffany) Gschwendtner of Brookhaven, GA; mother-in-law: Dorothy Gschwendtner of Pontiac, IL, and two aunts: Diane (Donald) Kachur of Bloomington, IL and Gale (Richard) Paul of Huntington Beach, CA. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews: Colton, Gavin (Madison), and Jace Bauknecht, Luke, Logan (Jessica), Lani Gschwendtner, Connor, Blake, and Abby Stine, Emma, Jacob, Morgan, and Samuel Dewald, and Beck Gschwendtner.

She is preceded in death by one uncle: David Roth and her father-in-law: Denis Gschwendtner.

Sara graduated from Pontiac Township High School. She received her Bachelor's Degree of Education at the University of Illinois and later received her Master's Degree in Education from Illinois State University.

Sara was a dedicated and beloved teacher for many years, teaching at Quincy Public Schools, Pontiac Esmen Grade School, and currently at Pontiac Grade School District #429.

She was a proud lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where she previously served as Sunday School Superintendent and currently served on the Church Council. She also honorably served as a Director on the Camp-Humiston Trust Board.

Sara enjoyed many things in her life, including caring for her home and garden, traveling, and watching her children in their many activities. Sara will be missed by not only her immediate family, but by a host of others whose lives she touched in so many ways. A daughter, wife, mother, teacher, and friend admired by all for her courage in facing so many health challenges.

The Gschwendtner family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Migas, Dr. Fleming, Dr. Murgu, and all of their wonderful staff for their long-time care, support, and comfort for Sara and the whole family.

She truly will be deeply missed by all of those who had the honor of knowing and loving her.

For additional obituary details, and a guestbook signed at www.duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.