Obituaries : Sarah Magdalene Wilharm

Sarah Magdalene Wilharm, age 30, beloved daughter of Jeff and Vicki (Alberts) Wilharm, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, September 22, 2023 at Unity Point St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

Sarah wrote this with her life. Her Life Song speaks as a witness to her bountiful, blessed, and faith-filled life.

Hello,

I am Sarah Magdalene Wilharm.  On Friday, September 22, 2023, in the early afternoon, I went home to be in heaven with my Lord and Savior. Just as the Bible promises.

I felt it best to present my Life Song personally. I actually have always enjoyed writing. Sometimes I have unique ways of pronouncing words, or my tongue might get in the way when I speak, so being a good speller and good writer has come in very handy.  I've written hundreds, if not, thousands of letters to my family and friends.  This is the way I want to show you, my life.

There was a lot of sadness in my family and friends, to see that I had closed my eyes for the last time on earth, but when I opened them in heaven, there was a celebration going on for my arrival.

I know coming up on October 12th and 13th at St Stephen's Lutheran Church, my family will celebrate my earthly birthday with my triplet brothers, Seth, and Solomon. Then my family, church family, and friends will celebrate my birthday in heaven. I just love birthdays and celebrations. We celebrate every day in heaven, because of the many that join us here every single day. 

My earthly life was very blessed. I was never distracted with many things of this world. I didn't have to deal much with pride, or very many worries, or unmet needs, or stressors. God enveloped me in an environment of purity, humbleness, and child-like innocence as much as he could. I was loved unconditionally. I was able to love unconditionally. And I still am. And I still do.

I never liked sad things very much. I have always been much more comfortable to be happy. Heaven is a very happy place. Nobody worries, nobody is scared, nobody gets sick, everybody loves, just how I like it.  I know it's OK to be sad at times, but I only wanted sadness to be very short. As much as God shined on me during my life; being in his presence now, is the true light. I never understood that till now. 

Seth, Solomon, and I were born at the University of Iowa on October 13, 1992. We were all very small. I weighed only about 4 pounds.  We stayed in the hospital for several weeks till we were bigger and stronger and moved home to West Branch.  My first church was Zion Lutheran in Iowa City. Seth, Solomon, and I were baptized into God's Family. On Sunday, November 29, 1992 - Jesus gave to me at the baptismal font.

West Branch was a wonderful town, and we made many friends there. But dad worked in Cedar Rapids and was having trouble getting back for all of our activities.  So, in 1999, when I was in kindergarten, we moved to the Prairie school district.  I think living at the Vista farm was when I felt closest to God. We had a big garden. We had Jake our yellow Labrador to watch over us.  We raised chickens and sheep and pigs and cows and horses, and goats and even peacocks. We learned a lot about the full cycle of life; and how God provides. Eventually, we needed more room, so we moved off the Vista farm to a bigger house. I got a bedroom with my own bathroom. That house has room for our growing family to gather; and gatherings have always been important for our family.

I got to do first grade twice, which was really good for me. I never minded riding the bus to school.  And it was OK that I did not graduate the same year that my brothers graduated. 

When we moved from West Branch, we also transferred to First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids.  I Affiirmed my Baptism there.  On Sunday, November 2, 2008 - Jesus gave to me at the altar. 

Then in 2010 we transitioned to become part of the St Stephen's Lutheran Church family in Atkins. This is where I truly knew I had met my church family. And I will forever remain part of St Stephen's family.

I graduated from College Community High School in 2012.  I did a two-year transition program and I did lots of activities through the Arc and with my special respite worker Barb.

Then I was finally able to move out on my own into a group home through the Discovery Living Program and joined Options of Linn County Day Hab program. Thank you to the Discovery and Options teams for the time and care spent to enrich my life.  Dixie, Kim, "Danessa", Melinda, and the rest of Lewis house were like family to me. 

My family kept the Vista farm this whole time.  I was so glad we did because in 2016 that is where my niece Amaryllis was baptized in Hoosier Creek; my brother Seth got married at the Meadow in 2018; and my brother Drew just got married at the Vista Meadow 2 weeks ago. 

I love celebrations, weddings, gatherings, and birthdays. I especially loved Jesus' birthday and my birthday.  I would always remember the upcoming day and date; I would announce it months ahead of time. Our triplet birthday tradition (literally) each and every year was to travel to West Branch to make cider with the Spencer's; even after we moved to Cedar Rapids and Ely.  Birthdays for me were about giving. Just as God gave his son to save us from sin and give us eternity in heaven.

As I mentioned before, I never have liked sad times much. I did not like to feel sad or cry. I did not understand when people were not feeling well or troubled, and that bothered me. 

I much prefer to be happy and carefree and joking with those I love. I was known for my infectious giggle. I enjoyed writing, singing, dancing, listening to music and talking to dad on the phone every night; but I just loved my family. Sometimes my list of who I liked the most would need adjusting depending on who was teasing me at the time. I didn't always understand teasing very well, but I liked to try to tease back.  

I was able to do so many wonderful activities: Special Olympics track, bowling, softball, prom, cheer competition, and I had some great times at the "Night to Shine"; thanks to the Tim Tebow foundation; 

One of the most anticipated events was that special week I would get at Camp Courageous.  I really looked forward to it each year. 

Family gatherings were very important to me. Times where we would laugh and many times would sing and we would dance and give praise. They were so enjoyable, meaningful, and special; everybody was happy at those times.

But the activity I lived the most for - was church. I looked so forward to going to worship and be with God. To sing; to give praise; and to commune.  On Sunday mornings, my dad would pick me up…… Late of course…… but we would get there. I would be with my church family, see my niece, give a hug to Pastor Woltemath, and be with my beloved mom.   

Mom - Vicki - (Alberts) was always who I sought out and needed. Her hugs meant the most to me. I know her heart is broken; but God promises complete healing.  I know that sometimes mom struggled with me being a little different. Dad always said I was an Angel just like Dale Evans and Roy Rogers said in "Angel Unaware" way back in 1953. But as hard as dad worked, mom worked harder and was just that very special person in my life. I have always had a special and abundant love for my mother.

Dad - Jeff - would take me with him pretty much everywhere; and I met so many wonderful people that way. What I cherished the most, was going to church, seeing my family (including bonus grandma Mary Louise Wilharm on Sundays) and getting sandwiches with my dad. I did have to scold him quite often for disrupting my routine though. Whether we were late for church or missing our 7 o'clock prayer time or our 5 o'clock sandwich time. Anyone who knows my dad knows that he is on Wilharm time; and I know - I never figured that out. But I always forgave him because I knew he would try harder the next time. He will need a lot of help with me gone now.

Tiffanie Michels - (Chris) took wonderful care of me at my brother Drew's wedding to Ann; so I could be with all of my family and so many wonderful friends; one last time just a few days before I went to heaven; I could really say "I'm having fun"

Josh Goeller - (Amanda) is expecting their seventh child and 

I get very excited to get my picture taken holding new babies in our family

Jesse Goeller - (Jenny) is the person everybody calls if they have a car problem; he always asks me to dance, but I might just choose not to because he is a teaser

Anna Faulkner (Brant) lives in Puerto Rico and they came all the way back for the wedding to see all of us; she takes lots of family pictures, which I like.

Drew Wilharm (Ann) got married on September 16, 2023. They moved the date earlier by one whole year so my grandma Irene Haase could come and have a real fun time too; but maybe the date was moved up because God knew about wanting me home in heaven on the 22nd.  What a memorable weekend that was. I was so blessed to enjoy my family and friends one last time.

My triplet brothers are Seth (Becca) and Solomon (Amanda); Solomon always wanted me to be the youngest because I am the smallest; but I am older than he is and I got to tell him what to do; but he always felt very blessed to be my brother and would say he was better because of me. Seth is the oldest triplet and would often give me rides when dad could not, I really appreciated that because family means so much to me.

My niece Amaryllis was always very helpful to me. She would escort me wherever I needed to go if mom or dad could not do it. I will miss her hugs, her high-fives, and singing with her.

I did have a blessed life on earth with my wonderful family. Not just mom and dad; Not just my 5 brothers and their wives; and 2 sisters and their husbands- who all love me very much; Plus 16 special nieces and nephews;   Numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins;  And many friends. I have no regrets.

I know I will see all my family and friends again when God calls them home. There are many of our family - grandma Marlene (Burger) Wilharm, grandpa Lyle Wilharm, grandpa Roger Alberts, bonus grandpa Paul Haase, and Cousin Tyler Frazee; that have come to heaven before me; and were waiting for me.  And! a whole new heavenly family I did not know before!

My gratitude to Mary, Karen, the first responder team from Firestation 5, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the ambulance crew, the emergency room and critical care teams at St. Luke's hospital, who all worked so feverishly to sustain my life.  

But as we pray that God's will be done, and Jesus has fulfilled his promise to bring those that were entrusted to him home where he is. That means heaven is our destination. It was finally my time to be there. I was given one last blessing here.  I was honored to participate in the Iowa Donor's Network. To give to others is my ultimate joy.

It's almost like we pray in opposition to the promise that Jesus made to our father in heaven. And I understand it can be sad to see any of us leave. And we do not always understand God's ways.

I hope that is comforting for all of you. It certainly has been for me. My life was joyful.  God provided me with my daily bread, gave me my every breath, every good gift; the fullness of forgiveness, life, and salvation.  Dad said our Angel got her wings on that Friday; and Jesus has said I am with you always.  I was in the presence of my pastor and loving family when I went home to be with Jesus; to dance and sing for eternity now.

My dad and I would talk to each and every night. We would do our best to talk precisely at 7 o'clock. I would tell him how my day went.  We would say "The Lord's Prayer."  And just like dad did with Grandma Marlene, we would not say goodbye, but we would say bye for now. We would always promise to talk again tomorrow. And I know we will talk again tomorrow in heaven. We just don't know which tomorrow. And I am OK with that.

And dad, I would really appreciate it if you could be on time next time you come to see me. I will be waiting.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, October 13, 2023 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins, with Rev. Douglas Woltemath officiating.  Interment will be held at St. Stephen's Cemetery in Atkins.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the St. Stephen's Fellowship Hall in Atkins.  In lieu of flowers, memorials for Sarah may be directed to St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Camp Courageous, or Discovery Living.