Margaret Mary Katherine (Laforge) Sarber

Margaret Mary Katherine (LaForge) Sarber, 70 of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2022 while under the care of Hospice Services at Centrica Care Navigators Glenn Arbor Place in Battle Creek, Michigan. Her family had spent many hours by her side during her final battle with a terminal illness.

Margaret Mary Katherine LaForge was born February 9, 1952 in Battle Creek, Michigan to James Edward and Virginia May (Bramble) LaForge. Margaret grew up in Marshall. She attended Cosmetology School and was employed as a cosmetologist and always had other part time jobs in the service industry. Margaret moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1990, attended college and earned a degree as a Registered Nurse. She worked in the Hospital setting for the majority of her nursing career, becoming a Nursing Instructor for several years as her professional role came to a close.

Surviving are her daughter, Lisa (Donald) Hepler of Battle Creek; four grandchildren, Lauren (Jayson Foren) Farnlof of Foxborough, MA, Benjamin Farnlof of Las Vegas, NV, Ariana (Brennen Martineau) Hepler of Battle Creek, Gavin Valdez of Battle Creek; a brother, James LaForge of Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, Joseph LaForge of Battle Creek; three sisters, Katherine (Donald) Gray of Battle Creek, Virginia (Yann) Hitchings and Mildred (Dennis) LaForge-Damitz both of Tucson, AZ; sister-in-law, Lorraine LaForge of Marshall; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and his wife, Walter and Bess LaForge, another brother, John LaForge; two sisters-in-law, Peggy LaForge, Susie LaForge; eight year old nephew, Justin LaForge, niece, Baby Jamie LaForge and nephew, Baby Joe LaForge.

Margaret enjoyed painting, especially watercolors, loved all of her pets, and enjoyed reading and spending time with her family. Margaret was born a warrior, she arrived to this world as a premature infant, weighing two pounds and fought to survive. She persevered and achieved many successes throughout her life, she never surrendered to any obstacle, and Margaret was strong, determined, and stubborn. She lived her life by her rules, albeit unconventional at times, she blazed her own trail. She was very proud of achieving her college degree and becoming a nurse, in the footsteps of her mother, and leading her daughter to follow right behind her in the same profession. Most of all she wanted to feel unconditional love and to be accepted for who she was, not judged for her choices, a goal that seemed to be just beyond her reach for much of her life. Margaret will be remembered as survivor.

Margaret lived in the desert southwest until August of 2022, when she requested to be moved back to Michigan to live out the rest of her life, hopefully it was the best of her life. Her family is so very grateful for the help of the Hospice team at Centrica Care Navigators and the staff at Glenn Arbor Place, especially Nurse Jennifer. Milestone Senior Services provided additional services, and a big thank you to Cindy from that organization as well. You were all amazing caregivers and our family cannot thank you enough for all of your tender loving care at the end of Margaret's life.

Friends will be received 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 2, 2022, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home Cremation Preneed Care, where a memorial service to celebrate Margaret's life will be held 3:00p.m. Friday, December 2, 2022.

Margaret loved her pets, should you feel inclined to make a donation in her memory, please be encouraged to consider an animal charity of your choice. She would be honored by that act. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.