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 home schooled 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, 2355 Dunckel Rd., Lansing at 11:00 am with Rev. Royce H. Allen, officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday, March 27th from 5-7 pm and Monday, March 28th from 6-8 pm at the church. Entombment will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution to the Sambaer Children's Fund, c/o Summit Community Bank, 1600 Abbot Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 in Petra's memory. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. Please visit www.gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com to make online condolences.