Sarah Belle (Lloyd) Sanneman went to meet her Savior on March 13, 2025. She was born in Abilene, Kansas, on May 25, 1945 to Sadie Belle (Caldwell) Lloyd.
Sarah grew up on her mother’s Bourbon Red Turkey farm north of Abilene. She graduated from Abilene High School and attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, and graduated in 1969 with a degree in elementary education. Later she found her passion in graduate school earning a degree in Special Education at Kansas State University and spent many years fulfilling this need in society. Sarah began her teaching career in Kansas City and Lindsborg after graduation and then in 1972 moved to northern Minnesota to a family camp and ministry where she continued teaching school among other responsibilities. Sarah lived and taught in Fargo and Gwinner, North Dakota, before returning to Kansas in 1985.
Sarah accepted the position of Special Education Transitional Coordinator with Clay County USD 379, which covered six school districts. She retired early due to health issues in May 2008.
Shortly after returning to Kansas, she met George Sanneman at the Idana Presbyterian Church. George had recently returned from a 3-year term in Nepal under the umbrella of the United Mission of Nepal, supported by the United Presbyterian Church USA, where he was a farm manager at a boy’s boarding school. They were married on May 31, 1986. They spent most of their married life in Idana, because George was a farmer in the Idana community.
George and Sarah hosted three foreign exchange students from Sweden, Norway, and Columbia. They continued to stay in contact with the students and their families, and have even visited them in their native country.
Sarah and George enjoyed traveling and visited many interesting places in the United States, Europe and Columbia. Sarah was an excellent networker and loyal friend keeping in touch with friends and family. She was a talented homemaker creating beauty and hospitality in her surroundings. Her kindness and generosity were deeply appreciated by those who knew her and will always be remembered.
Sarah was preceded in death by her mother.
She is survived by her husband, George Sanneman of Clay Center, brother-in-law Gaylord Sanneman, Newton, Kansas; and a sister-in-law Verlee Sanneman, Topeka, Kansas; and many cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Life will take place after Easter. Details will be announced later.
In place of flowers, memorials may be given to Bethany College, Parkinson’s Foundation, and Clay County Historical Museum in care of the funeral home Affordable Cremations Plus, 7920 W Kellogg Dr., Suite 200, Wichita, KS 67209.
