Sarah Renz

The world lost a truly loving and caring soul when our beautiful daughter, Sarah Ann Renz, passed away October 9, 2021.  A woman of joy and spirit, Sarah left an indelible impression of grace and compassion with all who knew her.  Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1984 to David and Sandra (Wessels) Renz, Sarah lived most of her life in the heartland of the Midwest.  Sarah loved academics and was the consummate student; she excelled in academic life.  After graduating with honors from Blue Valley Northwest High School, Presbyterian College, and the post-baccalaureate nursing program at the University of Missouri – Columbia, Sarah launched her dream career as a Registered Nurse.

Sarah was a loving and compassionate professional who, from her earliest days, was enthusiastic about caring for children and their families, first as a volunteer in care facilities and then, throughout her career, as a pediatric nurse.  Sarah was dedicated to meeting the needs of children - as a floor nurse, a clinic nurse, and ultimately, as a kidney transplant coordinator for Children’s Mercy Medical Center.  And Sarah was the consummate patient-centered nurse: enthusiastic, smart, detail-oriented, caring and understanding.  She loved being a nurse!  She delighted in the special bonds she developed with her patients and their families, and she greatly valued her work with her colleagues.  She was so proud of the work she and her colleagues did, and the difference they made in the lives of the children and families in their care.

Sarah adored children, and her time with them brought her such great joy!  As a nanny, as an auntie, and as a nurse, in a home or at the hospital, Sarah related on a personal and heartfelt level with kids of all ages – from the youngest of premature infants to toddlers on their most challenging days!  Sarah delighted in bringing joy to children, and everyone around her delighted in hearing the giggling and laughter she could elicit from their kids.  And the families she served as a caregiver loved and trusted her to provide the care they themselves aspired to offer.

Sarah brought to life an exceptional range of creative talents, from making blankets and quilts to photography to creating scrapbooks to expressive writing!  Sarah was an exceptional chalk artist, too, creating vibrant images and sharing inspirational messages.  She wrote so well!  Whether expressing heartfelt messages of caring and solace to those who lost a loved one or offering grace and encouragement to those enduring difficult times, Sarah was able to empathize and articulate with richness and depth what they were feeling.  She had a true gift!

Sarah was so loved and respected by all who had the privilege of knowing her.  We are blessed by the time we have had with her, and grateful for our time together (too short though it was)!  We always will remember with delight her spirit of joy, her sense of humor, her bright smile and contagious laugh, and her gentle and caring spirit.  For all the health challenges thrown her way, Sarah embraced all that life had to offer and continued to give all she could.  Sarah truly will be missed!  Sarah is survived by her parents, David and Sandra Renz, her brother Christian, his wife Margaret (McMillen) Renz, and her two beloved nieces, Mia and Stella.  Our Celebration of Life service for Sarah will be held at 10:30 a.m. on November 6, 2021 in the Wesley Covenant Chapel of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood KS 66224).  The Celebration of Life service will be livestreamed at https://www.cor.org/memorialsonline ).  In honor of Sarah’s commitment to the gift of life that transplantation affords, the family suggests memorial donations to Donate Life America in lieu of flowers (https://www.donatelife.net/give-to-dla/ ) .