Sarah A. Stees

Sarah Ann Stees, 93, of Geneseo, passed away on February 14, 2026, at Allure of Geneseo. Per her request, services will be private for the family only. Vandemore Funeral Home – Geneseo Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Geneseo Historical Museum, 205 S. State Street, Geneseo, IL, 61254, and Grace United Methodist Church, 318 N. Center Street, Geneseo, IL, 61254, or by planting a tree in Sarah's memory.

Sarah was born on June 10, 1932, in Geneseo, IL, the daughter of Carl and Margaret (Searle) Burgston. She attended Geneseo Senior High School and graduated in 1950. After graduation, she married the love of her life, Leslie “Les” Stees, on September 15, 1951, in Geneseo, IL. Together, they celebrated 62 years of marriage before Les passed in 2015.

Sarah held many titles, but her favorite and most beloved were wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a friend to everyone. Sarah was a volunteer at Hammond Henry Hospital for many years as a Pink Lady. She enjoyed making cookies for the youth groups at her church and was known for making a fresh batch on Wednesdays and running them from the oven straight to church while they were still warm. Sarah assisted Les in his carpentry business for over 50 years, often entertaining clients at their beautiful home at Tall Timber while they all poured over ideas and blueprints as the client’s new homes came to life.

Sarah was an avid reader and enjoyed almost every genre, but the books she relished the most were the stacks of biographies and stories of the Old West that her son sent to her when she could no longer get to the library. She read every page, and some of them twice. Sarah was a gifted seamstress, making her own clothes for many years. She managed many vegetable and flower gardens at their home; the air being filled with the most beautiful fragrances as you drove back into the woods. Sarah and Les also entertained many friends as they got together often and played cards for hours, some evenings being more of a fiercely competitive sport rather than a simple card game. She and Les hosted many family gatherings where the food was delicious, the company was good, and the fun and laughs still ring true in the minds of their nieces and nephews, who all adored them as “the favorite aunt and uncle”.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Vernon Stees of Wyoming; granddaughters, Carlynn Stees and Jennifer Stees of Wyoming; several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Margaret Burgston; husband, Leslie “Les” Stees; son, Larry Stees; sisters, Dorothy Burgston and Lois Burgston; brother, Harold Burgston; and a special niece and her husband, Linda (Burgston) Chapman and Wayne Chapman.

Sarah’s family would like to thank Jane Scherer and all of the staff at Allure of Geneseo for their wonderful care.