Sarah Jolene Staebell, 49—The Angel Who Arrived in Time for Christmas

The community of Cedar Falls, Iowa, mourns the profound loss of Sarah Jolene Staebell, who passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025, at the age of 49. Sarah passed surrounded by the beautiful family she created, following a courageous fight against colon cancer. While the pain of her absence is immense, her loved ones find solace in knowing that their “real angel” has gained her wings, leaving behind a legacy of beauty, organization, and unparalleled love, especially during her most cherished season.

The Legacy of Design: A Life Beautifully Decorated

Sarah was a woman defined by her impeccable taste and creative spirit. As the co-owner of Staebell Design, she poured her heart into interior decorating, organization, and custom painting, earning a reputation for meticulous detail and award-winning style. This passion was never more evident than during the holidays. As her brother affectionately noted, those “gates to heaven are already getting decorated for Christmas”—a perfect tribute to a woman whose favorite time of year was spent transforming her home into a festive, meticulously organized wonderland. Sarah’s joy was infectious, and her meticulous preparation for Christmas and for life will forever be a cherished memory.

The Most Beautiful Family: Living Her Legacy

Above all her professional accomplishments, Sarah’s greatest masterpiece was her family. She is survived by her devoted husband, Tony Staebell; her four cherished children, Samantha, Luke, Lane, and Addison; and her two beloved grandchildren, Walker and Emery. The love she poured into them—teaching them to live with purpose and kindness—ensures that her spirit will “continue to live through them as they grow everyday.” Her role as a mother, wife, and grandmother was her most important and fulfilling one, and the strength of her family bond is the most beautiful element of her enduring legacy.

Service Details: Honoring a Life of Light

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Sarah’s remarkable life and comforting spirit. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Locke at Tower Park in Waterloo. The funeral service will take place on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls. As Sarah begins her work decorating the heavens, her family asks that we keep her memory alive by approaching our own lives with her unique blend of organization, creativity, and unconditional love.