Obituary of Sara Lynn Falk
Sara Lynn (Burkholder) Falk passed away on June 7, 2024, peacefully with her family by her side. She was born July 7, 1950, in Monroe, Michigan, the youngest child of DeVerde and Betty Starling Burkholder. She grew up in Dundee, Michigan, attending Dundee Community Schools from kindergarten through graduation in 1968. She was raised in St. John Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed and married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth “Chuck” Falk, in 1969.
Sara graduated from the Ann Arbor Practical School of Nursing in 1970. She practiced nursing in a variety of medical fields before finding her favorite, Orthopedics, from which she retired in 2010. Soon after graduating from school, Sara and Ken were married and moved with the Air Force for a tour of duty in Alcala, Spain, for two years which has been followed by many fun adventures during the last 5 decades.
Sara’s favorite activity was crafting, which included sewing, embroidering, and quilting, among other things. She also loved to sing and joined Sweet Adelines. Her first chapter was The Danville Chapter which she joined in 1977 in Danville, IL. When Sara and Ken moved to Brea, California, she joined the Harborlites with whom she went on to win two international championships. Sara was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda, CA, and previously was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fullerton, CA, where she also participated in the choir and in the Health Ministry Team.
In addition to her parents, Sara is predeceased by her brother-in-law, George Edward Turner. Sara is survived by a large family for whom she deeply cared. In fact, she cared so much that she would hop on a plane to be there to take care of them whenever and wherever she was needed, or she would open her home to all who needed her. Sara is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Kenneth C. Falk; a daughter, Jessica (Chris) Landis; a son, Bryan (Tora) Falk; 4 granddaughters: Brooklynn, Abegail, Piper, and Keilee; her brother, DeVerde (Salemae) Burkholder; her sister, Suzanne Turner; and all of her Falk in-laws who were very important to her: Michael (Susan) Falk; Kirk (Debra) Falk; Kim (Stan) Rowland; and William (Tammy) Falk. She is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews, a great-great niece, many cousins and many beloved friends from across the country.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to send a donation in Sara’s honor, to the ALS Association (www.als.org) or any of the churches mentioned above would be meaningful to her.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Merke Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. Friends may gather Monday; July 8, 2024, from 9:00am until the time of a Celebration of Her Life at 10:00am at St. John Lutheran Church; 460 Riley Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131. A procession will immediately follow to Maple Grove Cemetery, Dundee, Michigan.
Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.