Luella E. Sass

Luella Emma Peterson Sass, 94, of Grand Island died on Monday, September 23, 2024, at Tiffany Square in Grand Island, NE. Memorial Services will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island with Reverend Bill Pavuk officiating. A private burial will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Pauls Lutheran Church. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com. 

Luella was born on July 21, 1930, on a farm in Sherman County to Johnnie Raymond and Alvina Emma (Bichel) Peterson.

Luella attended the rural school, District #47, the Bichel School, for grades 1-8 in Sherman County. She attended Loup City High School, graduating with the class of 1947. She took Normal Training during her junior and senior years and 1947 was the last year Normal Training was offered at Loup City High School. After graduating, Luella applied for a Teaching Certificate. Luella taught in rural schools in Sherman County for three years, teaching in District # 35 for one year and District #47 for two years. She loved the Sherman County farm where she was born and lived at home while she was teaching school. Luella then attended Kearney State College for one year taking Elementary Education and then returned to Sherman County to teach in rural District #35 for one more year. 

Luella married Albert Detlef Sass on June 1, 1952, in Loup City. Albert and Luella lived on the Sass farm all their married life. Their sons, Bert and Jon were raised on the farm. When their sons were of high school and college age, Luella returned to working outside of the home. She worked as a Media Aide in the Grand Island School System at Dodge School for 21 years. Albert and Luella celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in June of 1992. Luella retired from the School System in May of 1993. Albert passed away on June 23, 1995.

Luella was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church for 72 years, as well as the Ruth Circle, Grand Island Saddle Club, Liederkranz, Platt-Duetsche, and the Grand Island Area Retired School Personnel. She was a former member of the Grand Island Woman's Club and AARP. She was a Sunday School Teacher and a greeter at St. Pauls and was a caregiver for many years. She enjoyed singing with the Liederkranz German Singers, sewing quilts for her family members, making scrapbooks, and reading books. But her greatest joy was her faith and her family. 

Luella is survived by her two sons: Albert Dale Sass (Sharon) of Phoenix, Arizona and Jonathan George Sass of Grand Island; one grandson, Christopher Jon Sass (Nicole) of Honolulu, Hawaii; one great grandson, Gavin Ocean Sass of Honolulu, Hawaii; nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

Luella was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert Sass; sisters and their spouses: Leona Beck (Irwin) and Evelyn Senff (Clifford); brothers and their spouses: Leon Peterson (Elizabeth) and Dale Peterson (Regina); two nephews: James Peterson and Gerald Beck; nieces, Valerie Peterson, Vicki Covarrubias, and Lyla Slack; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Olga Sass; two sisters-in-law: Marie Hutchings and Mildred Sass; brothers-in-law: John Hutchings, George Sass, Billy Sass and Leo Sass; and many cousins, aunts, and uncles.