Sara J. Appelhanz

Sara J. Appelhanz, age 80, of Topeka, KS, passed away on Monday, July 19, 2021, at the University of Kansas Health System-St. Francis in Topeka. 

Sara was born the daughter of Joseph and Edna (Drake) Brinell on April 2, 1941 in Springfield, MO. After high school, she attended and graduated from Drury University in Springfield with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Sara was a Medical Technologist at a hospital in Springfield. When she arrived in Topeka, she had worked for the VA Hospital in the lab and for the nuclear medicine department. After retirement, Sara worked for Stormont Vail Hospital as a Microbiologist.

Sara married Isadore “Ike” Appelhanz at Christ the King Catholic Church. Together, they shared 45 years of marriage.

Sara was a Chartered Member of Christ the King Catholic Church where she served as Eucharistic Minister and was on the food committee. Her hobbies included, traveling with Ike, gardening & landscaping and bird watching. Sara was a member of the Magna Carter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughter of the American Colonist, War of 1812, member of King Phillips War, Daughter’s of Isabella and a proposed member of the Charlemagne Ancestry.

Survivors include her husband, Ike Appelhanz; daughter, Elizabeth Ann Dewitt; three step-sons, Fred Appelhanz, Michael Appelhanz and his wife Cindy, Daniel Appelhanz and his wife Denise; three step-daughters, Christina Finn and her husband Ron, Janet Shaw, Amy Tompkins and her husband John A.; two grandchildren, Amber and Austin Dewitt; numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two step-sons, Roderick and John Appelhanz; brother, Joseph Brinell.

Sara will lie in state at Christ the King Catholic Church on Monday, July 26, 2021 from 9-9:30 A.M., with a Parish Rosary at 9:30 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. at the church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made in Sara’s memory to Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25^th St., Topeka, KS 66614. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenahfh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6^th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.