Obituary of Sarah Lipoth
Sarah was born in Yorkton, SK on October 9, 1980 to Aloysius and Delores (Bergman) Lipoth. She lived on a farm near Waldron for most of her life. The farm was Sarah’s haven where she had many cats (and dogs) throughout the years with many interesting names, most notably Noah and Snapper in recent years. Sarah went to elementary school in Grayson, high school in Melville, and received her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Master of Soil Science from the University of Saskatchewan. Sarah excelled at school at all levels, and passed on this knowledge by teaching many science related courses at the Yorkton Suncrest College. Her “other” job was of course, being a lifeguard at the Yorkton Gallagher Centre.
Lifeguarding was not just a job for Sarah, but an identity. She enjoyed both lifeguarding and teaching courses at the pool, helping bring in the next generation of lifeguards. Sarah was always working and getting the latest tips to improve her lap times or help her compete at the lifeguard games (which she of course rallied a team together to go). She also received several awards from the Lifesaving Society of Saskatchewan.
Sarah had a passion for summer camps – specifically the former Circle Square Ranch Wolf Creek (now Love Reins Ranch Wolf Creek) and Manitoba Pioneer Camp. She started attending Circle Square as a small child and the rest was history. She was involved in the camp for almost 40 years – as a camper and then as a lifeguard/other random assignments staff (there are some plumbing stories).
Sarah served at Manitoba Pioneer Camp for about a dozen summers in big and small ways. She played an important role as a lifeguard and first-aid instructor. She also was an inspiring and knowledgeable wilderness skills instructor. She will be remembered as someone who was always available to serve and a warm presence to other staff members. There was no role Sarah didn’t do without eagerness to serve the community and Christ, whether that be helping transport trash to the dump or mentoring the camper that was struggling to keep up with swimming lessons. Sarah deeply valued spiritual practices and loved to participate in times of worship and prayer, as such things brought connection to God for her and connection to the community around her. Many were blessed by her presence, and she will continue to be held in the collective memory of Pioneer Camp and Circle Square Ranch.
Sarah was an adventurer, an outdoors person, and a traveler. Her many trips to Yellowstone National Park (even in the winter) are evidence of this, along with rafting trips in the Grand Canyon and Cataract Canyon where she slept outdoors under the stars and road trips to Arches National Park. She also made a trip to Hawaii in the spring of 2025 where she got to see the Kilauea volcano, a black sand beach, and other geologic treasures (Sarah loved her rocks) as well as getting in the ocean for the first time and watching the sunset over the ocean every night. She snorkeled with manta rays in the ocean, but I think the rocks may have been the real highlight. Nature truly was where she felt not only at peace but also wowed by the world.
Anyone that knew Sarah knew that when she was interested in something, she was INTERESTED in it. Canning, swimming, board games, her cats, camping, reading, experimenting with new recipes (spruce jelly?), teas, birding, painting, gardening, rocks – she even wanted to try golfing. Her joy in learning new things was one of Sarah’s best qualities.
Sarah was predeceased by her parents Aloysius and Delores Lipoth. She leaves to morn her passing and carry on her memory: sister Becky Lipoth (Meagan Onstad), numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and many other friends and family who knew her well, and in particular her close friend, Seamus Mckelvey as well as all of the Circle Square Ranch and Manitoba Pioneer Camp alumni that knew Sarah so well.
