Sara Flanagan

Sara E. Lange Flanagan passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Sienna Crest in Darlington, WI surrounded by her family.  She was born at home in Willow Springs Township on September 10, 1936, to Joseph and Delilah (Tubbs) McKillip.  Sara attended Sheldon Country School until the 8th grade and graduated from Darlington High School with the class of 1954. In November of 1954, Sara married Delbert Lange and they raised six children and farmed for many years in the Darlington area. She later worked as the assistant City Clerk in Darlington for 15 years with her sister, Rachel.  Sara then worked as a Job Service Specialist for Lafayette and Grant Counties, retiring in 2007.

Family and music were an important part of Sara’s life.  She started playing accordion and guitar as a young girl and later taught herself the organ and piano.  Sara performed music with three different bands and was co-leader of the Glory Singers with Arlene Kluesner for almost 50 years at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She was very involved in the Darlington community as a 4-H music leader, community theatre, and entertaining residents at the Manor.  Sara was a member of the local Homemakers club, the American Legion Auxiliary, Darlington Optimist Club, and enjoyed having fun with her friends in the Red Hat Society.  As a member of the Shamrock Club, she was named “Irish Rose” with her sister, Rachel, in 1998.  

Sara was a fun-loving lady with a gentle soul, who was always up for an adventure. She enjoyed playing cards, trips to the Casino, traveling internationally with her close friends or joining an impromptu music jam anywhere she might be.  But most of all, she cherished time spent with her family during holiday gatherings, birthday celebrations or watching her grandchildren’s activities.

Sara is survived by her children, Kristine (Steve) Brunkow, Nancy Fink, David (Kathy) Lange, Danny (Shelley) Lange, all of Darlington; Judy (Bob) Lovell of Harvard, IL and Lisa (Todd) Nethery of Dunlap, IL.  She is also survived by 18 grandchildren- Jamie, Marc, Jeannette, Kyle, Melissa, Briana, Rosie, Matt, Amanda, Karlee, Sara, Brian, Brad, Tucker, Brett, Emma, Chance and Zach along with 26 great grandchildren, with one on the way in June. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Delores Murphy, Donald McKillip, Rachel Suthers, Joseph McKillip and Elaine Liles; one daughter: Sara Susan in infancy; the father of her children Delbert Lange; her husband Ed Flanagan; and special friend Dave Wenzel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington, WI (104 E. Harriet Street, Darlington, Wisconsin 53530) with Fr. Chris Gernetzke presiding.  A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 4:00PM- 7:00PM at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church (104 E. Harriet Street, Darlington, Wisconsin 53530).  A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 10:00AM-10:30 AM as well.  A time of remembrance will be held prior to Mass on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 10:30 AM- 11:00AM at the church. Burial will be held at a later date.

A memorial fund has been established in Sara's name.