Sara Mittelman, 97, was born May 10, 1917, and died Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, at Menorah Medical Center.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Aug. 17, at The Louis Memorial Chapel, with burial at Mount Carmel Cemetery.
Sara was born in Pilica, Poland, and came to the United States in 1950. She was a Holocaust survivor who lost her entire family during the war. She was one of the oldest survivors in the Kansas City area. She and her beloved husband, Israel Mittelman, fled to Russia where they were jailed until the war ended. They then came to Kansas City with their children Harry and Marie to start a new life.
Sara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family was the center of her life.
She was an active member of Congregation Beth Shalom, its Sisterhood and a life member of Hadassah. Sara attended Shabbat services every week at Beth Shalom. She and her husband were instrumental in starting the New American’s Club where they had many beloved friends. They had many events and fundraisers and had a wonderful time together. Since most of them had lost many family members, they were all a big family to each other. They were also instrumental in bringing the Holocaust Memorial to the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, one of the first in the United States.
Sara and Issie started their own business in 1956 called Mittelman Furniture Co. It was a great success and enriched their lives for many years. After their son-in-law started running the business, they were able to spend many years in Florida and had a very special set of friends there too.
Despite her petite stature, Sara had an incredibly strong will, which helped her in conquering life’s challenges. She was very wise and inspirational to all who met her. She will be missed by the many people whose lives she touched.
Sara was very involved in her synagogue life and very philanthropic. She established the patio for the Heritage Center and the Kotel “Wall” at the Child Development Center at the Jewish Community Center.
Her last years were spent at Town Village in Leawood. She truly enjoyed her life there and the many friends she had, as well as the wonderful staff who helped care for her.
She was preceded in death by her entire Mendelson family in Poland; her husband, Israel, in 1995; and her brother-in-law, Geniek Mittelman.
She is survived by her children, Harry and Brenda Mittelman and Marie and Phil Koffman; her grandchildren, to whom she was “Gaga,” Robin Kaplow, Michael Mittelman, Brad and Amanda Koffman, Kerry and David Kuluva, David and Stephanie Rudd, and Lee Ann and Paul Steffen; and her 14 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her loving extended family and many wonderful friends.
The family requests donations to Hadassah, Congregation Beth Shalom, Midwest Center for Holocaust Education or a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be shared at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arr: The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.