Sara Coe Steffey

Sara Coe Steffey returned to the waiting arms of her husband and other family members in Heaven on Wednesday, April 28, 2010. She was born Sara Coe Higbee on February 26, 1924 in Plymouth, Kansas, to Faye and Dick Higbee. She lived her early life in and near Emporia, Kansas, went to high school in Kansas City, and graduated from Wichita East High School. She was proud to be the daughter of an inventive mechanic and a mother who could grow any fruit or vegetable in her garden. At the age of 13, Sara Coe met her lifetime sweetheart, Rex Steffey Jr. At the age of 18 when Rex was shipping out to the Pacific front in World War II, she flew to San Francisco to marry him 10 days before he left. Their love story lasted 68 years, and was an inspiration and lesson in commitment and devotion. While Rex was at war, Sara Coe worked for Boeing building B29 bombers, and she attended college at Wichita State University. Upon Rex's return from overseas, he and Sara Coe had two children, Anne Yvonne and Michael Rex. The family of four traveled and lived throughout the U.S. and in the Philippine Islands. Wherever Rex's job took the family, Sara Coe instantly made their houses into homes by being an excellent cook, seamstress, decorator and hostess. As her children grew older, Sara Coe became grandmother to three children-Michael, Amy and Heather. She cared for them as if they were her own children taking them to the doctor, to football practice and Girl Scouts, and teaching them to play pool almost before they could see over the table. Sara Coe never missed a graduation, birthday, or holiday celebration with family. Even when she was ill, she would manage to mail order gifts and stuff them into any Christmas or birthday bag available. Sara Coe also had two great-granddaughters- Hannah and Hayden. Both girls lit up her life, even until her last day. Those who knew Sara Coe often defined her as "one tough lady." While often in physical pain from surgeries due to a broken back and two hip replacements, and the inconvenience of full time oxygen use, she rarely complained and maintained a sense of humor. She proudly lived independently until her admission to the Hospice during the last two weeks of her life. Sara Coe is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rex, her brother Mace and her grandson Michael. She is survived by her daughter, Anne Gallegos and husband, Robert Gallegos; son Michael Steffey and his companion, Pat Berrington; granddaughter Amy Gallegos Vanderkooy and great-granddaughter Hannah; granddaughter Heather Garner Becknell, her husband, Conan Becknell and great-granddaughter, Hayden. A private family graveside memorial to celebrate her was held at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Michael Gallegos Memorial Scholarship at the NMSU Foundation. PDF Printable Version