Geraldine (Gerry) Alice Sasse (75)—beloved mom, grandma, friend, confidant, teacher, student, healer, shaman, writer, poet, bringer of joy, and maker of magic—passed away peacefully at home on October 21, 2023, with her daughter lovingly at her side. That night, the Orionid meteor showers peaked, ushering her into the afterlife.

Born March 22, 1948, Gerry lived her life with integrity and intentionality. Raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Gerry called Brooklyn Park home for more than 40 years where she enjoyed nature walks around Shingle Creek and feeding the menagerie of wild animals that tracked through her backyard. Gerry also spent one year in Santa Monica, California, tenderly caring for her eldest granddaughter, Kiya.

Gerry often visited her family in California—Taryn, Matthew, Kiya and Haley Heimer—celebrating holidays and birthdays, applauding her beloved granddaughters’ performances, and, despite proclaiming herself “not Betty Crocker,” baking cookies (with extra sprinkles) and enjoying tea parties with her granddaughters. She was forever proud of her daughter and granddaughters, touting them as her greatest accomplishments.

Education was Gerry’s vocation and first love. She taught English in the Osseo School District for more than 40 years at North View, Park Center, and Osseo Senior High. Known to be tough but fair, “Ms. Sasse” nurtured the dreams of countless students, student teachers, and colleagues. Also known for her sense of humor, one of her favorite antidotes involved completely emptying out one of her colleague’s classrooms (of students and desks) and laughing uproariously at the ensuing confusion. Her granddaughters chortle at, and love retelling, her stories about “toots” in class.

Gerry was a life-long learner, and her curiosity, inquisitiveness, and keen intellect drove all her pursuits: from workshops and seminars, to writing classes and continuing education. She graduated from St. Margaret’s Academy (1966) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at Mankato State University (1970). Years later she returned to school and earned her Master’s degree at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota (1997). She was a writer, editor, and proof-reader, proud to have her poetry and stories published.

Gerry’s thirst for profound personal healing and a deeper understanding of the pathways to God led her to decades of spiritual discovery. Her quest began with Catholicism and delivered her to a Course in Miracles, Tarot, Astrology, Shamanism, Energy Healing, Portals, Prayer Groups, and Sufism as both healer and healed. She sourced from, and pilgrimed more than 20 times to, Bear Butte in South Dakota and was writing her memoir, “Sitting with Sitting Bull,” about those vision quests. A healer and shaman, Gerry quietly lived a life of purpose with feet planted firmly in both the physical and spiritual worlds. She lived with sacred intent and conscious awareness to connect with the brilliancy of her spirit.

Known for her honesty, Gerry was generous, loyal, and brave. She will be remembered for the heart, vulnerability, and determination that she shared with family and friends. Gerry left no stone unturned in her heroic battle against breast cancer. She lived by the maxim “All my needs will be fulfilled (just not always as I envisioned)” and mantra “Let go; let God.” May we always remember that obstacles in the path are not obstacles, they ARE the path.

The texts, phone calls, Facetimes, prayer circles, rides, and visits Gerry received during the final months of her life were a tremendous source of joy, peace, and comfort to her. We are grateful for the wide circle of support.

Gerry was predeceased by father Clarence (Chuck) Sasse, mother Margaret (Pate) Sasse, brother Duane Sasse, sisters Judy Conniff and Darlene Kaiser, and favorite aunt Beatrice (Bea) Anderson.

Gerry is survived by daughter Taryn Kiekow Heimer, son-in-law Matthew Heimer, granddaughters Kiya Kilana Heimer and Haley Iona Heimer, as well as her many, much-loved friends, spiritual communities, prayer circles, writing groups, brother, brother-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Her energy and spirit will live on in us, and we will forever be grateful for her presence in our lives. As Kiya wrote in a tribute haiku to Grandma:

Her soul stays with us/ As we move on in our life/ But we remember…

She is happy there/ Up in those beautiful stars/ She watches and loves.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Gerry at 1 pm on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Unity Minneapolis (4000 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley, MN 55422) with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a memorial tree in Gerry’s name with Trees for a Change or A Living Tribute. 

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