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In Memoriam

Petra Maria Stark (Sambaer) - Class Of 1989

Petra Maria Stark, daughter of Martin and Erika Stark, was born 16 August 1971, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.  Petra graduated in 1989 from Okemos High School and in 1993 from Michigan State University. She married in June 1993 Gerald Edward "Jerry" Sambaer, her high school sweetheart.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 12 January 1992

STARK-SAMBAER

The engagement of Petra M. Stark of Okemos to Gerald E. Sambaer Jr., 1209 Kimberly Dr., is announced.

She is a graduate of Okemos High School and is employed at the H.O.P.E. Academy.  He is a graduate of Lansing Catholic High School and is employed by H.O.P.E. Academy.  The couple plan a June 1993 wedding.

She is the daughter of Erika and Martin Stark of Okemos.  He is the son of Eleanor Sambaer of Lansing and the late Gerald E. Sambaer.

During their loving 17 year marriage, Jerry and Petra had 6 children.  Sadly, at age 39, Petra succumbed to a rare blood disorder.  She was interred St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 27 March 2011

PETRA MARIA (STARK) SAMBAER

OKEMOS

Born August 16, 1971 to Martin and Erika Stark, Petra, a devoted wife and mother, went home to her Savior on March 23, 2011, at the age of 39.  She was recently diagnosed with and suffered from a rare blood disorder, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Petra was a 1989 graduate of Okemos High School and a 1993 graduate of Michigan State University.  Petra's focus was faith, family and friends.  She was passionate about the Bible studies that she regularly attended and was a member of Trinity Church.  Petra always put others needs before her own.  She was a true servant of the Lord.  Education was of great importance to her.  Her children, the light of her life, were fortunate to have the experience of being homeschooled by their mother during their primary years.  Her greatest joy was spending time with family and friends.  Petra was an avid runner and greatly enjoyed cooking, scrapbooking, holding babies and spending time at the family cottage.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law Gerald Sambaer Sr., Petra is survived by her husband of 18 years, Jerry; children, Nicholas, Abbey, Patrick, Gerald "G", Mitchell and Benjamin; her parents; brother, Juergen (Andrea) Stark; sister, Bettina (Pete) Bruno; mother-in-law, Ellie Sambaer; brothers-in-law, Todd (Jill) Sambaer, Tim (Melissa) Sambaer, Joseph (Susie) Sambaer; sister-in-law, Deborah (Will) Robinson and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 29th at Trinity Church, 3355 Dunckel Rd., Lansing at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Royce H. Allen, officiating.  The family will receive friends Sunday, March 27th from 5-7 p.m. and Monday, March 28th from 6-8 p.m. at the church.  Entombment will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.