Sara Lee Broer

Sara Lee Broer, age 90, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2026, just days after celebrating her 90th birthday.

Sara was born on March 21, 1936, in Huron, South Dakota, to Howard and Bessie Shober. She grew up in Huron and graduated from Huron High School. She went on to attend the University of South Dakota, where she earned her teaching degree—beginning a lifelong passion for education and service to others.

In 1956, Sara married the love of her life, Wes Broer, in Pipestone, Minnesota. Their marriage was one of deep devotion and partnership. Early in their life together, they moved frequently as Wes served his country and later built a career with South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. Eventually, they settled in Rapid City, where Sara taught at Annie Tallent Elementary School—work she remained immensely proud of throughout her life.

Later, the couple moved to Custer State Park, where they began their family. Their son Mark was born first, followed later by John. When John was still an infant, the family moved to Pierre following Wes’s promotion. Sara and Wes spent 24 years there before retiring and returning to the Black Hills. After several more years, they moved back to Pierre for another decade, and finally returned to Rapid City. One thing was always certain—they embraced life’s changes with courage and grace, never afraid of a new chapter.

While in Pierre, Sara continued her dedication to education, serving as a substitute teacher in both Pierre and Fort Pierre and later working for many years at Pierre Junior High School.

Sara was deeply involved in her community. She was an active member of PEO and Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Pierre and later in Rapid City. She was also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta and Questers in Pierre.

A lifelong lover of animals, Sara always had pets at her side and delighted in sharing stories of their antics. It brings comfort to imagine her reunited with the many dogs and cats who brought her such joy over the years.

Sara is lovingly survived by her son Mark (Patti) Broer; grandson Levi Broer; step-grandsons Colton (Sydney) Hipple and Derek Hipple; and great-granddaughter Briar Hipple.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard T. and Bessie Shober; her beloved husband, Wes Broer; and her son, John Broer.

Funeral services will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 717 Quincy Street, Rapid City, SD, on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 11:00 am.  Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.  

The family kindly requests that memorials be directed to the Black Hills Humane Society or Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Rapid City.