Sara was born on January 20, 1977, in Seoul, South Korea, and was adopted at five months old by Eugene and Wanda Sue Leffelman of Sublette, Illinois, a moment of great joy for those who knew and loved them. She was welcomed home by her three siblings, Shawn, Scott, and Stacey.
Sara was a true free spirit who lived life on her own terms, deeply artistic and endlessly creative, expressing herself in ways that were uniquely her own. In California, she was loved by many friends who knew her lovingly as Mia. She especially enjoyed crafting projects, pouring her imagination and care into every creation.
Sara is survived by her daughter, Abby O’Malley of Chicago; her siblings, Shawn Leffelman (Nancy Heller) of Sublette and Scott Leffelman (Jamie Rodriguez) of Amboy; her niece, Whitney (Brandon) Miller of Sublette; her nephews, Tyler (Morgan) Leffelman of Albany, Wisconsin, Ryan (Sydnie Garriott) Leffelman of Sublette, and Max and Andy Wertz of LaSalle; and her great-nieces and great-nephew, Eme and Sloan Miller, and Porter Leffelman.
She was preceded in death by her long-time partner, Tim Bjornlie; her parents, Eugene and Wanda Sue Leffelman; her stepmother, Faye Leffelman; her sister and brother-in-law, Stacey and Rich Wertz; her paternal grandparents, Charles and Mildred Leffelman; and her maternal grandparents, Melvin and Marie Fischer.
Sara’s warmth, creativity, and free-spirited nature touched the lives of everyone who knew her. Now, at last, she is home, at peace. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in the memories she created, the love she shared, and the joy she brought to all who knew her. Sara will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
“In keeping with Sara’s wishes, a private family service will be held February 28th at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Sublette.”
