Obituary of Sara L. Wittenberg

Sara L. Wittenberg, age 48, of Portland, Oregon, passed away Saturday, August 25, 2018 in Portland following a courageous battle with cancer.

Sara was born July 28, 1970 in Wisconsin Rapids to David and Audrey (Gardner) Wittenberg.  She graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids in 1988.  She furthered her education at Hamline University in Minneapolis and earned a master’s degree in public administration from Portland State.  Sara served in the Peace Corps in Belize and went on to work with the Corporation for National Service in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and New York City.

Sara was currently employed as the executive director of Alberta Main Street, a Main Street Program in Portland, Oregon.  She was dedicated to and believed in the power of community.  She worked tirelessly, aiding and assisting the scores of residents, business owners and property owners who sought her assistance.  Her passion for her community and the program resulted in Alberta Main Street being a finalist for the 2019 National Main Street Program Great American Award.

Sara’s work to improve the community she lived in consumed much of her time.  In the spare time that she did have, she enjoyed traveling, woodworking, promoting the arts and walking her dogs.

Sara is survived by her mother, Audrey Wittenberg, her brother, Mark (Rhonda) Wittenberg and her nephew, David Wittenberg all of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; her aunt, Karen Johnson of Hopkins, Minnesota; many cousins; and her beloved dogs Macey and Jackson.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents; father, David Wittenberg; and aunts and uncles: Frank Gardner, Josephine Gardner, Nancy Habeck and Judie Schmick.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Wisconsin Rapids.  Rev. Joshua Pegram will officiate.  A time of remembrance for family and friends will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church.  Inurnment will be at a later date at Forest Hill Mausoleum in Wisconsin Rapids.  Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids is honored to be serving the family.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Alberta Main Street (http://albertamainst.org/get-involved/give) or to your local humane society.