Sarah Kay Broden, 28

Sarah Kay Broden made her grand entrance into this world on Dec. 19, 1986, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She was the fourth child born to Alan and Shirley (Gilder) Broden.

Sarah was a gorgeous baby with a full head of dark hair and the sweetest disposition, which she eventually outgrew. After a battle with a long-term illness, Jesus called her home on Sept. 14, 2015. Though we knew her time on Earth would not be as long as we'd like her death was still sudden and therefore crushing for those of us that loved her so very, very much.

Sarah was known for her acerbic quick wit, her admiration for the inventor of Poo-pourri, her brutal honesty, her self-deprecating nature and her passion for food. Not for fixing it, mind you, but for eating it. Anyone who knew her didn't even have to ask her what she'd like to eat as her answer would be, "I'm a carnivore, just feed me meat." She doted on her niece and nephews...until they started to bother her or argue with her. She loved to have them sit on her lap and ride around in her wheelchair with her, earning her the nickname "Aunty Wheels."

Sarah attended Hayden Meadows Elementary, Canfield Middle School and graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 2005. In 2008, she earned an associate's degree from North Idaho College and then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Idaho in Moscow. Her 2011 graduation from U of I was a highlight in her life because it was something she fought really hard to accomplish.

While attending school her illness progressed and affected things like her mobility. When her peers were late to class because they were hung over, Sarah would be late because her wheelchair got stuck in the snow on a sidewalk that no one had bothered to shovel.

Sarah tried not to dwell on "the crap card she was dealt physically" but every once in awhile, after a particularly trying day she was known to unabashedly lob a big F bomb in the direction of her disease. It stole a lot of the joys from her life but she learned to appreciate the simple things that much more. She remained spirited and she loved to laugh.

She couldn't offer to help anyone move furniture or back them up in a good rumble, but she could offer her time and presence. She was a voracious reader and a huge fan of movies, music, comedy and TV that made her smile or challenged her brain.

Sarah was very close to her dad, Alan, who beat her to Heaven in 2009 and she wanted to be buried next to him in Libby, Mont. She is survived by her mother, Shirley Broden of Butte; brothers John Broden of McMinnville, Ore., and Josiah (Amber) Broden of Spokane Valley, Wash.; and sister Cyndi (Ed) Holbert of Powell, Idaho. The lights of her life were nephews Ben and Keith Broden, and Garrett Holbert; and niece Brooklyn Broden. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins. Sarah made it clear to everyone that she intended to die before her constant companion of 11 years, a "not quite right in the head" miniature pinscher named Goliath. She got her wish.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. (MST) Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at Christ Lutheran Church, 200 W. Larch St., Libby, Montana. A reception will immediately follow the service at the same location.

And yes, there will be meat.