Sara Lou Gaggens

Sara Lou Gaggens, 85, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2023 surrounded by her family. A visitation will be from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, 1640 N. State Route 291, Liberty, MO 64068. Memorials and contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral, 415 W. 13th St., Kansas City, MO 64105. A reception in Founder’s Hall at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral will follow the service.  Please join us to share stories and take a memento by which to remember Sara.

Sara was born November 21, 1937 in Kansas City, MO to John and Nora Gaggens.  She attended Westport High School where her passion for education began.  She then studied education at Park University and graduated in 1959.  She went on to obtain her masters in education from Indiana University.

Sara spent 32 years teaching physical education at Southeast High School and global studies at Northeast Middle School in her decades as an educator.  She cultivated very strong relationships with her students, many of which lasted well past her retirement in 1995 and throughout the remainder of her life.

She had a passion for people, for history, for laughter and for antics.  She was a loving and generous woman who leaves behind many friends who will miss her dearly, as well as countless individuals whose lives have been touched by her unique brand of mentorship.

Sara was preceded in death by both her parents, as well as 12 siblings of whom she was the youngest.  Survivors include her niece, Ruth Ann Music, who was her closest relative, dearest friend and partner in crime.  Also surviving are several nieces, and nephews, as well as loving friend and Amazon supplier Brandi Barnum.