Sarah "Sally" Margaret Kresse was born to Benjamin and Minerva (Cross) True on June 21, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from the Providence Hospital School of Nursing, Mobile, Alabama in 1951. While in school she met the love of her life, Joe Kresse. They were married in 1952 and made a home in N. Little Rock, Arkansas where they had six children. In 1959 they took their small family to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and had four more children. Sadly, their son David died in infancy. Joe's job took him to the animal disease center in Ames, Iowa. They had two more children, raising 11 kids at what came to be known as "Kresse Corner," 3 miles west of Maxwell. She gave us so much love and showed more tenderness and patience than you would think is humanly possible. We delighted in her playing the piano, especially the songs of Stephen Foster and the Jolly Coppersmith. Sally worked part-time at the Story County Hospital, where she treated everyone with kindness and compassion. After retirement she and Joe spent several winters in Mexico City, where they made wonderful friends and mom learned to navigate the busses so she could go shopping. When Joe retired, he put a lot of work into his garden, growing vegetables that Sally canned. The truth is that canning in the torrid Iowa summer pushed mom beyond the limits of her vast patience and we overheard a few unkind remarks directed at dad. At the age of 89 dad's memory started to go and he spent the last months of his life at Ramsey Village in Des Moines. Following hip surgery mom moved to Ramsey Village in 2013. Our family is grateful for the care and kindness shown to mom by the staff of Ramsey Village and Suncrest Hospice. Mom had a great wit and made us laugh. She loved Joe, her family, friends, and Our Lord. She was deeply loved by her 11 children: Sarah (Gene) Behrens of Des Moines, Marion (Jean) of Ames, Mary (Tom) Hoelscher Dubuque, Joe (Olga) of Bloomington, MN, Charles (Donna) of Lemont, IL, Robert (Cyndi) of Eagan, MN, Marie (Dave Elliott) of Des Moines, Patricia (Simon "Cap") Cassady of Des Moines, Theresa of Des Moines, Ben (Candace) of Louisville, KY and Helen (Bill Langebartels) of Des Moines, 30 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and her great-great granddaughter. A visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 18, 2022, at the Maxwell Community Center (84 Main Street) in Maxwell. Visitation will continue Saturday, February 19, 2022, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church (1110 11th Street) in Nevada beginning at 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. with Father Rick Dagit officiating. Face coverings are encouraged and appreciated at all events. Interment will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Nevada. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Nevada, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Elkhart or the Maxwell Area Community Center. Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Maxwell is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rasmussonfh.com