Sarah Alice (Knapp) BARBER GRETILLAT

GRETILLAT, BARBER, SIDWAY, KNAPP, BONJOUR, WNUK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/1/2008 at 20:40:29

THORNTON - Sarah Knapp Barber Gretillat, 88, formerly of Thornton, died Thursday (Oct. 23, 2008) at the Belmond Medical Center. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the First United Methodist Church, 400 Maple St., Thornton, with the Rev. Rose Calderon-Khan presiding. Her family will greet friends immediately following the service at the church.

Sarah Alice Knapp Barber Gretillat was born May 4, 1920, in Utica, Minn., a daughter of Wright and Jennie (Sidway) Knapp. She was educated at St. Charles, Minn. At a young age, she began working in the gladiola fields near St. Charles. She was married to Vernon Barber. They made their home at Lewiston, Minn., and raised three children. On May 13, 1967, Sarah was united in marriage with Harold Gretillat at the Methodist Parsonage in Thornton. They made their home near Sheffield where she worked for "Red" Sheriff raising hogs and as a waitress in several restaurants. Sarah was active in the United Methodist Women and the First United Methodist Church in Thornton. She enjoyed card games with her friends, especially 500, Canasta and Samba. She spent many hours reading and doing crossword puzzles. She enjoyed crocheting and gardening. She loved her dogs; her most recent companion, Honey Bear, was very special to her.

Sarah is survived by her son, Don (Gerry) Barber of Radcliffe; step-children Kathleen (Donald) Bonjour, Fowler, Colo., Larry Gretillat, Fowler, Colo., Arno (Ronda) Gretillat, Marion, Ind.; daughter-in-law, Betty Jane Barber, Lewiston, Minn.; son-in-law, Ronald Wnuk, Winona, Minn.; 17 grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren and seven step-great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Raymond (Karen) Gretillat, Mason City; sisters-in-law Connie Gretillat, Union, Iowa, Eleanore Gretillat, Luverne, Minn.; and lots of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter at birth Charlotte Barber; brothers Leon Knapp and Leonard Knapp; and half brother Ralph. Retz-Grarup Funeral Home.

Mason City Globe Gazette
10/31/2008