Sara Myers Dougherty Kerr

Hastings resident Sara Myers Dougherty Kerr, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Mary Lanning Healthcare Hospice surrounded by her loving family.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, December 23, at First United Methodist Church in Hastings with Rev. Lance Clay officiating. A private burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. with the family present Sunday, December 22, at the funeral home, and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church.|

Sara was born on November 27, 1931, in Miami, FL. Her father died when she was two and her sister Betty was three. She finished high school in Miami but soon after she and her sister with their mother moved to Panama City, FL. Sara attended Judson College in Marian, AL, graduating in 1953. Upon graduation, Sara taught math at Jenks High School in Panama City from 1953 to 1954.

Sara first met the love of her life, Jerrold C. Kerr, during her senior year in college. Jerry was in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, AL. However, it wasn’t until Sara graduated and was teaching in Panama City that Jerry (with encouragement from his sister Kathleen) worked up the courage to call and ask her out on a date. It was “Love at First Sight” as they were married 11 days later.

Jerry and Sara moved to Hastings in 1954 after Jerry was discharged from the service, where Jerry joined his father, Claren R. Kerr in owning/operating Kerr Chevrolet.

To this marriage that lasted 67 years, three children were born: Elizabeth (Dr. Alan) Robertson, Jerrold Jr. (Jennifer) and Claren (Bev).

Even though Sara lived most of her adult life in Nebraska, she never forgot her Florida roots. After their children were grown, she and Jerry spent many winters relaxing on the beaches of Florida, especially St. George Island and Panama City Beach.

Sara was a wonderful wife, homemaker, mother and grandmother. She was also very active in the community, having served as secretary for Kerr-Cochran, Inc., serving on the board of Sunnyside Rest Home, Treasurer of the Mary Lanning Hospital Auxiliary, and serving on the YWCA Board. She was also a member of First United Methodist Church.

Sara was a fantastic cook, and her family will always remember her festive and elaborate Thanksgiving meals and her taking her grandchildren on their annual pre-Christmas Black Friday shopping spree.

Sara was preceded in death by husband, Jerry and son, Claren. She is survived by daughter, Beth; son, Jerr; son-in-law, Dr. Alan Robertson; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Kerr; seven grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.