Ethel Ellen Sarff

1929 - 2018

Ethel Ellen Sarff

St. Cloud - It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Ethel Ellen Sarff age 88 of Saint Cloud, MN previously from Ocala, FL, St. Croix Falls, WI, Hazen, ND, and Hibbing, MN. She was surrounded by family as she peacefully passed away on Friday April 20, 2018 at the Talahi Nursing Home in St. Cloud, MN.

Ethel was born on December 25,1929 in Hibbing, MN. She was the daughter of Sander and Jessie Bolin Lawrence. She graduated from Hibbing High School. Ethel graduated from Miss Woods Kindergarten and Primary Training School of Macalester College in 1950 with her K-3rd grade Teaching Degree. She married the love of her life and best friend Dale Jerome Sarff on March 11, 1950. They met when they were 4 years old and were happily married for 50 wonderful years. Ethel returned to Hamline University to complete her Bachelor's of Education degree. Ethel taught Kindergarten for 25 plus years in St. Croix Falls, WI and Ocala, FL.

Dale and Ethel were blessed with three children Ricard, Glenlyn (Lyn), and Gayle. Her family was her pride and joy. She loved cooking, making her famous caramel rolls, listening to the call of the loon at the lake cabin, boat rides, campfires with s'mores, and winter snow fun. She loved the quiet peaceful time just as the sun rose to enjoy her cup of coffee and to spend the first moments with Jesus every morning. She enjoyed music, bands, dancing, and crafts.

Ethel loved spending time with her family. Her table was always overflowing with food and laughter. Everyone was welcomed to their home with open loving arms. Holidays were a special time filled with decorations, music, and traditions. No matter what activity the family was involved in, Ethel was there to loudly cheer them on; be it sports, music, or any extra curricular activities. She also was a lifelong Vikings fan.

Ethel was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a generous friend. She had an extremely kind heart, a warm smile, and cherished her family with her entire heart and soul. Ethel set a wonderful example of a life well lived, her love, laughter, and her ability to make everyone feel welcomed. Ethel loved to visit with friends and family.

Ethel is lovingly remembered by her children Ricard and Linda (Higgins) Sarff Foley, MN, Glenlyn and John Kessler Henrietta, NY, Gayle and Ed Smith Seneca, SC. Her grandchildren: Lloyd and Cindy (Arnold) Kessler, Jennifer (Smith) and Dwayne Faust, Jessie (Kessler) and Brendan Greisch, Greg and Nicollette (Taylor) Smith, David and Jaclyn (Huls) Sarff, Elizabeth Sarff, and Laura (Sarff) and Josh Kerkvliet. Along with 11 great grandchildren: Destany Kessler, Emily Sarff, Katie Faust, Aubrey Sarff, Caleb Faust, Nathan Sarff, Kameron Kessler, Kaylee Kessler, Felicity Smith, Cody Kerkvliet, and Simon Smith. Ethel will be greatly missed by her nieces, nephews, and, other family members. She blessed the lives of many very good friends and had uncounted others that regarded Ethel as their special Mom and Grandma.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dale Sarff, her sisters an infant Ethel Ellen Lawrence, Glenis Thorson, and Sandra Malmquist.

A memorial service will be at Benson Funeral Home later this summer. Interment will take place at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Ocala, Florida.

As a family we would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the staff and residents of Talahi Nursing Home for their care and friendship. Ethel loved all her friends she made at Talahi and will be deeply missed by them.