I campaigned for Sarah when she ran for school board. She would have made a tremendous choice, and our district a better place with her leadership. I was so saddened to hear of her death. God bless you at this time of grieving.
Sarah Shella-Stevens
December 8, 1963 – July 5, 2010

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 9, 2010, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud for Sarah Shella-Stevens, 46, of St. Cloud. The Reverend Dee Pederson will officiate. Sarah passed away on July 5 at the Quiet Oaks Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family and friends, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud, and after 10:00 AM on Friday at the Church.
Sarah was born on December 8, 1963 in Pipestone, MN, to John and Claire (Sanderson) Shella. Sarah graduated from Jasper High School, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Gustavas Adolphus College. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1989. She had a 20 year career as a legal aid lawyer in St. Cloud. Sarah was a staff attorney with St. Cloud area Legal Services, most recently the Managing Attorney for the St. Cloud office of Central Minnesota Legal Services. Sarah was passionate about advocating for people with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence and their children. Sarah was active in many community organizations and her church.
Sarah loved her family fiercely. They were her greatest joy, but her tireless work on behalf of others was her calling and passion. Sarah was a gifted woman of great courage, dignity, and wisdom.
Sarah is survived by: her husband Scott; sons Isaac and Matt; mother Claire Shella; siblings Jack, Jim, Carrie, Barb, Beth, Joann; mother-in-law Ella Stevens; brothers and sister –in-law James, Eric, Kai; other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father John, nephew Andrew Shella, and father-in-law Jim Stevens.
Memorials are preferred to Anna Marie’s Alliance and Quiet Oaks Hospice House.
Guestbook
Our deepest sympathy to your family and may God give you the strength and peace you need during this difficult time.
Rodney, Jen, Mitchel & Alisah
Sarah was a wonderful supervisor who taught me much about legal issues and vulnerable populations. She was so willing to share what she knew and was excellent at working with people. She always talked about her two ‘little’ boys while I worked @ CMLS. I am sending her family the warmest wishes and I am very sorry for your loss.
Sarah was a wonderful supervisor who taught me much about legal issues and vulnerable populations. She was so willing to share what she knew and was excellent at working with people. She always talked about her two ‘little’ boys while I worked @ CMLS. I am sending her family the warmest wishes and I am very sorry for your loss.
Jim, Connie, and Katie Shella and family,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your sister/aunt. She was a very pretty lady. We know she will be missed alot at your family functions. May God be with you and all your family during this time and may you remember all the fun times you shared as the days ahead pass on. Our sincere sympathy. The Adairs
I wish to extend my sympathies to Sarah’s family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. My first “real” attorney job was at CMLS, under Sarah’s management. She demonstrated passion, grace, patience and kindness on a daily basis. I am ever blessed to have known her. She will be deeply missed.
Barb, Beth and family, so sorry to hear of Sarah’s passing and the struggle she had to endure. Even though Sarah was younger than me, I remember her with her blonde hair in her cute little dresses at church. May you find comfort in the memories you have with of her. Thinking of you.
We want to express our deep sorrow at Sarah’s passing…We are so sad you have lost your mother, wife, sister, daughter. Our prayers are with you as you continue on in her physical absence, knowing she is with you in spirit and memory.
My sympathies to your family. Sarah was a very special person whose kindness and generosity touched many lives. Treasure all of those special memories and may those carry you through these difficult days. Your families are in our thoughts and prayers.
Scott, Matt & Isaac,
I was so saddened to hear of Sarah’s passing. Wanda with American Family shared the Caring Bridge website with me and I have been following your progress for the last few months. I have and will continue to keep all of you in my prayers. Her love for all of you was always very present in her posts. Keep her memory alive in your hearts. You all have a new guardian angel watching over your shoulders. Again, I am so sorry and saddened by your loss. I wish I could find the words to make this easier for all of you.
Karen Mapes
(Rob, Wyatt & Samantha)
Our very deepest sympathies to all of your families. Our prayers are with you.
We send our condolences for the loss of your wife and mom. She was a beautiful and ambitious young woman – way too young to go home to Jesus. Love, the Hoof family
To Sarah’s family – You all have my sympathy in the loss of Sarah. I’m sure she left so many memories for you to hang onto, those can never be taken away. She sounded like she was an awesome figure in the community. Again, my sympathy.
Barb – I was saddened to hear of the passing of your sister. Sarah was such a wonderful woman, mother and sister. She will be greatly missed by everyone that she touched.
You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
We continue to lift you up in prayer at this time. May the Lord’s presence and grace comfort you for many days to come. We join with you in this. Many Blessings.
We continue to lift you up in prayer at this time. May the Lord’s presence and grace comfort you for many days to come. We join with you in this. Many Blessings.
My favorite memory of Sarah is the time her and Scott visited my family. They were relatively newly married and without kids. I was maybe 5 or 6 years old. (I’m 26 now.) My sister and I got the biggest kick out of Scott bending Sarah back and kissing her. (Think of a big Hollywood kiss.) We squealed and cheered and asked them to repeat over and over again!
We will miss you, Sarah!
So sorry to hear of Sarah’s passing. I kept watch of her fight thru the Caringbridge website and was praying for a better outcome. Thanks to her and her family for keeping it updated.
May she Rest In Peace
A lasting memory I have of Sarah was when she was 10 years old. I was visiting Jasper for the first time.
The Shella family and I went on a picnic and Sarah sat next to me. She stayed within 10 inches of me with a big smile and watched me eat a powdered sugar donut. That was when she captured my heart then and always. Love,
Connie
Services
Visitation
Daniel Funeral Home, St. CloudServices
Bethlehem Lutheran ChurchSchedule Details
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 9, 2010, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud for Sarah Shella-Stevens, 46, of St. Cloud. The Reverend Dee Pederson will officiate. Sarah passed away on July 5 at the Quiet Oaks Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family and friends, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud, and after 10:00 AM on Friday at the Church.