Sarah Martha (Pounds) Reum, 79

As if 2020 wasn't bad enough, the year 2021 came roaring in like a Category 5 Hurricane, taking the life of a loving mother and friend. Sarah Martha (Pounds) Reum died one week after her husband, Daniel Paul Reum passed away. Stores and restaurants everywhere are whining about the lack of income to their businesses as she almost single-handedly boosted the economy. She did love her shopping and eating out. Taking car trips when she could, she enjoyed witnessing the beauty of God's creation. She also had a lot of good friends who will miss her dearly.

Sarah, a rare natural redhead, was born to Gladys Owen Pounds and Eddie M. Pounds in Chicago, Illinois on May 22, 1941 and the world is better because she was in it. She was most likely named after Glady's mother Sarah (Gipson) Owens. Growing up, she experienced a variety of places in Indiana and Arizona. Her adult years brought her to California where she worked at a veteran's hospital. Another nurse there, Elsie Allison, became good friends with her. Elsie introduced Sarah to her nephew Daniel Reum; the two married and went to Montana for their happily ever after.

Unfortunately, quite tragically, Elsie died in a car accident after Dan and Sarah had been married about a year. She left behind four active children. Having very little time to consider choices, the newly married couple raced to California and soon became legal guardians of the children. They spent some time in Helena, Montana before building a home in Whitehall, Montana. After that, two more children joined the large family.

Besides being a homemaker and raising children, Sarah found time to use her nursing expertise by working for Dr. Sacry. She devoted much time to her children by attending their sporting, band, and other events. One thing I remember is that we were on our way from Butte to Whitehall just the two of us when she recalled that we had not eaten. There we were on the freeway going westbound when she gets on a road meant for emergency vehicles and goes eastbound so we can get something to eat. Being hungry was truly something that urgently needed to be addressed. Every Christmas she became Santa's helper and filled stockings and made sure every child got a good gift.

When her husband Dan was ready to retire around the year 2012, she moved to Cordova, Alaska to be close to her son Dave and his wonderful family. She still had a lot of love to give, which she demonstrated by working with one exchange student one year and someone else the next year. Health issues forced her back to Butte, Montana in 2020, where she lived almost a year before

COVID-19 took her

precious life.

She leaves behind a legacy of generations of caring people. Her daughter Wendy lives in Nampa, Idaho and is a very talented artist. Her daughter Pam married Donald Rawson and the two are known for having beautiful irises and famous hostas as well as two brilliant children Jonathan and Jason and grandchildren. Marrying Jo Ellen Richardson, her son Steve showed excellent taste and the two have a wonderful home in Bloomfield, Indiana and have been blessed with two children, Crystal and Keith. Her optimistic son David married Aileen Velasco, both of whom are active in the community of Cordova, Alaska. They have children Brian, Elizabeth, Abby, Daveen, and Cayden. A skilled real estate agent, her daughter Kim married Jon Flynn and the two have become quite busy keeping tabs on their own children Mika (Zitnik), and the mischievous twins Hunter and Jacob. Owner of her own insurance business, her cheerful daughter Sheri married Eric Johnson and had a mechanically minded son named Tanner and a daughter named Lacey.

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Jefferson Valley EMS, the Whitehall Fire Department, or Cordova Community Baptist Church, in her name. Cards to the family can be sent to Box 104 Whitehall, MT. 59759. Memorial services in Alaska and Montana will be planned this spring/summer.