Sarah Jolene Staebell, 49, of Evansdale, passed away on December 1, 2025, surrounded by her family after a courageous fight against colon cancer.

Sarah was born on August 3, 1976, in Waterloo to Jeffrey Tix and Dona Klein. She graduated from Don Bosco High School in 1994. Sarah married Allen Charley, and they welcomed a beautiful daughter, Samantha, in 1995; they would go on to later divorce. In 2001, Sarah married Tony Staebell at Immaculate Conception Church in Gilbertville, and they welcomed three more beautiful children, Luke, Lane, and Addison.

Sarah was known for her impeccable taste in interior design-she and Tony own and operate Staebell Design, an award-winning interior decorating, organization, and custom painting business. Most notably, Staebell Design won Cedar Valley’s Best of the Best Award in various categories 3 years in a row. She loved taking her creative abilities to the next level and her talents are reflected in the home of her and Tony’s clients and friends. Sarah once co-owned Cobblestone Creek, a quaint little shop that offered a variety of home decor items and unique gifts with her mother, Dona, in Evansdale.

Christmas time was her favorite time of year, decorating her home, preparing beautiful gifts for others, all while ensuring everything was still meticulously organized and labeled appropriately. Sarah was fiercely dedicated to her family, supporting her children in all endeavors and never afraid to be the life of the party wherever she went. Being a grandmother was her favorite kind of medicine. She lived for “Walker Wednesdays,” especially in the earlier days of her diagnosis-she often stole every chance to curl up and take a nap beside them. Sarah spoiled her grandbabies with fun surprises, shared smirks, and sass with Emery as if they were cut from the same cloth, and carried their laughter close. They were her joy, her strength, and the legacy she was proud to leave behind. She was steadfast in her faith and a longtime member of Immaculate Conception in Gilbertville.

Sarah fought valiantly against her battle with colon cancer for five and a half years, never letting her diagnosis define her. In 2024, she was named as the Cancer Survivor of the Year and was often raising awareness for the local Relay for Life chapter.

She is preceded in death by her father, Jeffrey Tix, maternal grandparents, Norbert and Theresa Klein, paternal grandparents, Henry and Virgina Tix, uncle and aunt, Bob and Geri Schmaltz, and cousin, Brett Klein.

Sarah will be deeply missed by her husband, Tony Staebell; children, Samantha (Michael) Krueger, Luke, Lane, and Addison Staebell; grandchildren, Walker and Emery Krueger; mother and stepfather, Dona Klein and Rodney Frickson; brothers, Jesse (Sherrie) Tix, and Jared Frickson; nieces and nephews, Alexis (Hayden) Foster, Aspen, Aleea, and Levi Tix, Paisley and Paxton Frickson, Maxwell, Ty, and Josie Staebell, and Zander Jeffries; great niece, Delilah; father and mother-in-law, Gerald and Vicki Staebell; brothers-in-law, Scott (Angela) Staebell and Mark Staebell; sister-in-law, Erin Jeffries; cousin/sister/best friend, Shannon Frost; and many more extended family members.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Prairie Lakes Church, 907 Viking Rd, Cedar Falls.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Staebell Family.

The Staebell Family would like to express their deepest gratitude and immense appreciation to their village and those who followed along in support of Sarah’s Journey.

Locke at Tower Park is serving the family. Please visit lockefuneralservices.com to offer your condolences.