Sarah (Isaacson) Puppe
Sarah Marie Puppe, 42, of Fargo, North Dakota died surrounded by family on Nov. 8, 2016. She had been battling a brain tumor for over 15 years.
Sarah Marie, was born to Marilyn and David Isaacson on Dec. 7, 1973 in Portland, ME. She attended Trinity Lutheran Nursery School and the Rocky Point Public Schools until moving to North Dakota with her family in 1987. Sarah graduated from Milnor Public School in 1992 and then studied religious studies and education at Macalester College. She graduated from St. Catherine’s University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. Sarah worked as a community organizer in fair housing for AmeriCorps VISTA, and a workshop facilitator for mothers working their way off welfare.
In 2001 and while about to relocate to California to attend Fuller Seminary, Sarah was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. During recovery at her parent’s North Dakota home, the ministry calling she initially received during high school continued strongly and she filled in for pastors while they were away. A year later she was able to move to California and attend seminary as planned. She graduated from Fuller Seminary with a Master’s in Theology in 2005 and a Master’s of Arts in Intercultural Studies in 2008. Her studies often put on pause for her to work in North Dakota churches, an honor and privilege she always cherished. Unfortunately, she had another brain surgery in 2006 and her medical woes continued until she passed away on Nov. 8, 2016.
Sarah is survived by her husband, Mark; and daughter, Mari; her devoted parents, Marilyn and Rev. David Isaacson; brothers, Aaron and Josh (Stacey); and nephew, Thomas. She is preceded in death by her grandparents; and paternal uncles, John and Eugene.
Sarah asks that memorial funds be contributed to Hospice of the Red River Valley or Seminary Tuition Reimbursement Fund at the Easter North Dakota Synod.
There will be a memorial service at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at Hope Lutheran Church North Campus, Fargo.
What a wonderful person–intelligent and very interesting. Selfishly, I grieve that I will no longer have the opportunity to listen to her.
My condolences to Mark Puppe and family. Sorry for loss.
Best Wishes
Guy Rolfsrud
My thoughts and prayers are with Sarah’s family. May God’s peace be with you all. Sarah was an inspiration to us all. I am relieved she is at peace now.
Marilyn and family, my heart goes out to you and your family.So sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy sue parkman
Sending many hugs, thoughts, and prayers to Pastor Dave, Marilyn, and family. Sarah was a wonderful person.
Sarah was such an amazing person. She touched so many with her beautiful spirit. She is smiling down on us all!
Sorry for you loss… I was just thinking of Sarah the other day… Thoughts & prayers for all of you at this sad time.
Dear Isaacson Family,
Please know that our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May you feel God’s loving arms around you, filling your hearts with His peace, hope and comfort.
Love, Kris and Chuck Long
Lisbon ND
Pastor Dave and your family, I am so sorry for your loss. She was a very beautiful young lady and fought a good fight. God Bless all of you. Donna Sweet
I am so sorry for your family, but you are in Jesus’ arms and out of pain. You were God’s servant on earth and touched the lives of many. I am thankful that I knew you while you were in Milnor. Peace be with you and your family.
I consider it the greatest privilege to have been able to pray for Sarah. Peace be with all of us as we grieve her loss, yet celebrate such a beautiful spirit and life. “Blessed be the ties that bind our hearts in Christian love.”
Our sincerest condolences to Sarah’s family. We continue to keep all of you in our prayers in the days ahead. God bless Sarah as she is welcomed into His heavenly kingdom.
My sincere sympathy to all of Sarah’s family!! May she now be free of any pain . God rest her beautiful soul.
My deepest sympathy to Mark, Mari and your families.
My deepest sympathies to Mark, Mari and all family members. Prayers are with you!
Marilyn and David and family,
our deepest sympathy to all of you in the loss of your loved one. May the wonderful memories you have of her sustain you in the following days. May the Lord wrap his arms around you and give you strength and peace.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Jean and Harold Ust
My condolences to all members of Sarah’s family.
I only met Sarah once, but immediately loved her. That doesn’t happen often. I am so sorry. We have been praying for her and your family for a long time. I will continue to remember you in my prayers. Yours in Christ, Sandy Kolbo
Sarah was a wonderful person who loved God and her fellow pilgrims. Praying for Sarah’s family.
I am sorry for your loss Mark. We will be praying for u.
Not sure there is a greater loss in life than that of a child. When I think of Sarah, the word “sparkler” comes to mind. She just lit up any room or any conversation. Witty, engaging, caring, loving, conversational, joyful, and truly wanting to make our world a much more just and peaceful place. Such a huge loss for all who knew and loved her. Our love and prayers go out to all the family. May God grant you hope, peace, comfort, and strength for the journey ahead. And may you never doubt that we shall all see Sarah again in a place and a time where there will be no more sorrow, sickness, suffering, pain, or death. And what a grand and glorious day that will be. With deepest sympathies for all who are grieving, Paul and Margaret Harrington
Mark and family
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
She was an inspiration in my life
Oh Mark ~ I wish I knew the right words to type. I will never forget the love, kindness and compassion you showed me during my time of loss. And now – I can’t find the right way to give that back to you and your family. I am so very, very sorry for your loss. But I am so very HAPPY for your love and the family you made with your wife. I read the other day that grief is something we need to cherish… because it shows how much we loved. I do believe there is some truth to that. We certainly never get “over it” – we simply become a new person and it takes a long time to figure out how we are going to fit into this new being we have become due to the love, happiness, joy, loss and grief. A donation will be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley in her honor. May her memory an love go on forever. Never stop celebrating her and your love for her. Sincerely, Leslie Meyers Johnson and Family
Mark, Mari & family. You are all in my thoughts & prayers! Love & hugs!
We know what it is to love a child and can only imagine the anguish of losing one. How wonderful it was to read that Sarah was so deeply involved in doing God’s work. Her memory will be blessed indeed.
I can imagine that Sarah herself might have offered consolation with these words from John 16:22: “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
Members of the Mayville Lutheran family with you,
Myrna and Merwin Lyng
Marilyn,David, Isaacson and all familes:
We just learned today your loss of a awesome person who touched so many. Sarah always had a beautiful smile and a positive outlook in all she did. We were so blessed to have known her while she was the Pastor at Rogers/Dazey Churches and we were so happy to have he stay at the Litchville farm home. I think of her so many times and the messages she conveyed, the love, trust, and faithfulness she practiced as she walked her earthly journey. Our biggest regret is that our paths never crossed again. You have our sympathies and we pray for peace, healing, and comfort to all.
Smart, beautiful, accomplished and a doer of good works. The world could use more Sarahs. We are so sorry to hear of her passing. Please know how many people send sympathy and comfort. Your family is well loved!
Dear David, Marilyn, Mark, Mari, and Sarah’s entire family,
My sympathies to all of you. We tend to freeze people in time. Once they move away from us and our lives
continue, we hold them in our memory the way we saw them last. I have read after learning of Sarah’s death that she had grown up to be a remarkable young woman. You have so much to be proud of in the way she touched others through her faith.
I will always remember her curly red hair, her cute little dresses, and the fun times we had, Marilyn, when her and Erik were babies.
All my love, and God Bless you all.
Dearest Marilyn….forty years have passed since we sipped coffee in your kitchen in Westbrook, and yet today, hearing the sad news about Sarah, memories come to mind…Sarah and Nancy in their infant seats, side by side, on your kitchen table. Sarah was born just ten days after Nancy. My heart is heavy with sorrow tonight, Marilyn. You are in my prayers. May your faith comfort you. Pam Brant
We are very sad to hear of Sarah’s passing. Our sincere sympathies to the Isaacsons and to Mark and Mari. We are sure she was a blessing to all those who knew her. Sending our prayers to you.
Marilyn – I remember when Sarah was first diagnosed, while I was working with you at ARN. I was so saddened to see she had passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.