Sarah M. Lanford, age 95, of Beaver Dam WI passed away on Friday, March 31, 2017. Sarah was born in Millington Michigan to William and Agnes Cypher. She was the second oldest of eleven children. She graduated from Millington Schools and worked in the state hospital in Pontiac, Michigan where she married Cecil Vickery on September 27, 1941. They had a daughter, Sharon, prior to divorce. Sarah married James Lanford on May 25, 1946. Sarah and Jim had two daughters, Dawn and Kathy. Jim died November 29, 1977. Sarah was a child of the depression years, and worked from the time she was young. She worked alongside Jim on the farm while the girls were young, then worked outside the home as a bookkeeper. Sarah worked for several employers, including Ace Asphalt of Flint Mi and the State of Michigan unemployment agency. Sarah and Jim moved to the Upper Peninsula in 1968, settling in Trenary. She worked once again for the State unemployment agency, but eventually found her favorite job at the Huron Mountain Club. She was so appreciative of the opportunity to not only live and work on the Club property, but to walk its trails, fish its lakes, and enjoy the beauty of God''s creation along the shores of Lake Superior. In this setting she was able to enjoy her love of the outdoors, and applied the knowledge she had gleaned from the many and varied books she was always reading. She retired and moved to Ironwood Mi to be near her family, but didn''t stay "retired" for long. She worked part time for Silver Properties until she was 72. While in Ironwood she was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and a part of their quilting group, and was a volunteer at Gogebic Medical Facility. In 1997 she moved to Beaver Dam Wisconsin, where she was a member of St. John''s Lutheran Church. Once again Sarah worked alongside the other ladies making quilts for Lutheran World Relief, supported the food pantry, and encouraged youth activities. She thoroughly enjoyed football, and could hold her own in any discussion about the game. Although she adopted the Packers in her new home state, her heart always remained with her Detroit Lions. In addition to quilt making, Sarah did beautiful embroidery and cross stitch needlework pieces which she usually gave away as gifts. Sarah valued education and took opportunities to learn whenever she could, taking college courses to further her career. Additionally, she encouraged and supported others to continue their education. Sarah never stopped reading or learning, even as she lost her eyesight. When she was no longer able to read for herself, she would listen to her Books for the Blind. Often, she would have all her books read before replacements could arrive in the mail. Sarah was known for the whole-hearted hugs she would give to anyone who needed a hug. We will all miss those hugs. Sarah was preceded in death by her husbands, her brothers William, Orrin, Bob, LeRoy, John, and Earl; her sisters, Harriet March and Wilma Genicks; and a son in law Charles Sundvall. She is survived by her daughters Sharon (Mike) Wagster of Roscommon MI; Dawn Sundvall of Wagener SC; Kathy (Don) Anderson of Beaver Dam WI. Grandchildren Todd (Caren) Myers of Mooresville NC; Terri Dzido of Fenton MI; Beth (Ricky) Martin of Kilauea HI; Adam Anderson of Beaver Dam WI; Eric Anderson of Loretta WI; Janet Anderson of S-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. Great grandchildren Macenzie Myers and Morgan Myers of Mooresville NC; Benjamin and Jonathon Dzido of Fenton MI; James Martin and Kristan Vaughn of Odessa TX; Dylan and Monica Anderson of Beaver Dam WI; Madelyn and Tamilyn Anderson of Ogema WI. Great Great grandchildren Aspen, Abigail, and Aiden Vaughn and Audrey and Jace Martin. A brother Richard (Ruth) Cypher of Duncan, British Columbia Canada; and a sister Carol Lingle of Anderson IN. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for all the care and support they have provided to Sarah and the family over the past years. The compassion and support of these friends and professionals lifted and sustained us throughout this journey. Dr. Amy Muchow; Dr. Jay Wilkins; Eagles Wings'' amazing staff who became Sarah''s family; Care Wisconsin; BDCH Hospice, especially Moriah, Debbie, and Dennis; Pastor Bryan Lagerstam and the Befrienders of St. John''s Lutheran Church; Darlene Meinders; Linda and Dave Thalacker, Nicole, Kristina, and Keri. Visitation with the family will be on Saturday April 8, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John''s Lutheran Church, 1209 Circle Dr. West in Beaver Dam WI. The Memorial service for Sarah will begin at 11:00 followed by lunch in the fellowship hall. Sarah''s cremains will be interred next to Jim in Trenary MI. Memorials in remembrance of Sarah may be directed to ELCA World Hunger, St. John''s church, or Beaver Dam Community Hospital''s Hospice. Koepsell-Murray Funeral Services in Beaver Dam WI and Range Funeral Service Ketola-Burla of Ironwood MI are serving the family.