Sara Rudeen, 71, of Camas, Washington, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sept. 4, 2026.

Sara was born on Feb. 24, 1955, in Duluth, Minnesota. She spent the early years of her childhood in Minnesota before her family moved to San Luis Obispo, California. She later attended and graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara.

Sara went on to build a career with her own book keeping business before moving onto human resources at the Santa Barbara County Food Bank. She did so while raising two children Nathan and Anna, alongside her husband Del.

Sara was a true people person. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone she encountered feel loved, welcomed and cherished.

She poured her time and talents into serving her community, putting her exceptional organizational skills to work coordinating countless events, from retreats for Santa Barbara Community Church to tournaments for the Santa Barbara Soccer Club.

Sara delighted in the details and logistics of bringing people together, but what she treasured most was the opportunity these gatherings created to connect with others and build meaningful, lasting relationships.

For Sara, bringing people together was never simply about the event itself, it was about the people, the friendships, and the memories made along the way.

Sara’s Christian faith was of the utmost importance to her. She faithfully attended church every Sunday and sought to live her life in a way that reflected God’s love, grace and purpose. Her faith shaped the way she cared for others and was a central part of who she was.

Sara is survived by her husband Del; children Nathan and Anna; sister, Carolyn Dossa; brother-in-law, Chris Dossa; and many other beloved relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Jeanne Grandy.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 19 at New Heights Church Central campus in Vancouver, Washington, and at 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at Santa Barbara Community Church in Santa Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sara’s memory to East Clark County Young Life or the Santa Barbara County Food Bank.

Sara will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her warmth, generosity, faith, and gift for bringing people together will remain a lasting part of the lives she touched.