Sarah Ann Hesmer

Sarah A. Hesmer, age 80, of Marshalltown, Iowa passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the Iowa River Hospice Home surrounded by her loving family.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Friday, December 20 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish: St. Henry Catholic Church. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, December 19 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Sarah will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery. Memorials may be directed in Sarah’s name to the Marshall County Animal Rescue League, the Iowa River Hospice House or St. Francis of Assisi Parish. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Sarah Ann Hesmer was born on February 22, 1944, in McGregor, Iowa. She was the daughter of Clifford and Mary Elizabeth (Melvin) Pilkington. Sarah attended MFL MarMac High School in Monona before moving to Marshalltown, where she graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1961. In 1984, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mundelein College in Chicago. On June 30, 1962, she married the love of her life, Kenneth “Ken” Hesmer at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshalltown.

Sarah dedicated her 38-year career to banking, starting as a teller and working for the same bank which transitioned from Fidelity to Brenton, and then Wells Fargo. She retired from Wells Fargo Bank in 1995, as President.  In her free time, Sarah enjoyed playing golf, reading, traveling and supporting her husband and son during their racing careers. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and a faithful member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. In addition to her time volunteering at the church, she was also very involved in the community: as president of the Rotary Club, active member on the YMCA and YWCA board, president of the Heritage Club from 2009 to 2010, and several other committees. Sarah was recognized for her faithful service as recipient of the Martha Ellen Tye Friend Award and the Kenneth Brintnall Memorial Award.

She is survived by her husband Ken Hesmer, son David (Leann) Hesmer, granddaughter Alix Hesmer, and her siblings: Bruce Pilkington, Will (Linda) Pilkington, Sue (Robert) Beurskens, Beth (Terry) Anson, Terry Pilkington and Kevin Pilkington.

Sarah is preceded in death by her parents Cliff and Betty, and her siblings: Jan Fields, Tom and Keith Pilkington.