Kathleen ‘Spike’ Sarles

Kathleen (Stallard) Sarles, who died on Feb. 8, 2024, was introduced to this world 84 years ago, but we all knew and loved her as Spike. 

To say she embodied every single letter of her name is an understatement. Spike loved fiercely, was passionately devoted to her family and friends, and had a signature spunk all her own. 

Spike graduated from Hamline University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She also met her future husband, Don, at Hamline. They were married in the fall of their senior year and lived in the infamous “Quonset Huts,” which were provided for married students. After graduation, she worked as a nurse at St. Barnabas Hospital for six months. When the Minnesota National Guard stationed Don at the Fort Sam Houston base in San Antonio, Texas, Spike became a nurse at Santa Rosa Hospital.

Upon returning to Minnesota, Spike taught obstetrical nursing at Ancker Hospital’s School of Nursing in St. Paul for three years. She left teaching to start her own family. While Spike missed nursing, she loved working full-time as a mom raising her three children (Greg, Lisa, and Jodi). Eventually, Spike would welcome four beautiful granddaughters. Meeghan, Molly, Mara, and Ella were her pride and joy.

Don and Spike divided their time between their home in Eden Prairie and the cabin on Ten Mile Lake. They loved taking family and friends on evening boat cruises, entertaining during all holidays, and taking the grandkids fishing. Not only was Spike devoted to her family, but also to her church family, Rotary, and various organizations. She rarely rested and loved to be surrounded by people and activity, whether it was the annual lutefisk dinner, talking about the latest book at the book club, or getting ready to spend time at their timeshare in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Spike was preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Helen Stallard, and her husband, Donald Sarles. She is survived by her son, Greg (Andrea Nyhusmoen), daughters Lisa McCay and Jodi (Frank Seigars), granddaughters Meeghan, Molly, Mara McCay, and Ella Sarles, countless extended family and friends, and her cherished dog, Zelda.

Spike’s Celebration of Life will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie.

In remembrance of Spike, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Eden Prairie Rotary Foundation (Eden Prairie Noon Rotary PO Box 524 Chanhassen, MN 55317) or Immanuel Lutheran Church.