Note– Times of services have changed due to the inclement weather
Wendy Lynn Sapp, age 53, of Carroll, passed away on Sunday, November 23, in Omaha, Nebraska, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, surrounded by her family and friends.
Her recent health journey was challenging, with ups and downs, but Wendy continued to fight with the same strength and spirit she carried throughout her life.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 at Holy Spirit Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm. Music will be by Kathy Halbur, Ramona Sapp, and Karleigh Henkle. Gift Bearers will be Wendy’s siblings. Eucharistic Minister will be Connie Sapp. Casket Bearers will be Mike Hahn, Scott Sapp, Brad Sapp, Shane Sapp, Tony Brinker, Nick Schulte, and Adam Sapp. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
A visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church on Monday morning where additional visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for Austin’s Army. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Wendy’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Wendy was born on July 22, 1972, in Carroll, Iowa to Ray and Doris (Schachtner) Sapp. She was a proud and devoted dog mom to her beloved dogs, Carver and Kinnick. They were her pride and joy.
She graduated from Kuemper Catholic High School in 1990 and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, and a minor in Psychology, from Northwest Missouri State University in 1994. Wendy spent 30 years operating her successful in-home daycare, where she cared for children from newborns through grade school. She poured her heart into every child she welcomed into her home—many of whom grew up still calling her a second mom.
Wendy enjoyed crafting, playing games, fishing, wearing her flip flops, and sunny days, as well as spending time with her family, her beloved dogs, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. She devoted many years to the Carroll Little League fields, from running the concession stand, to coaching her nieces’ softball teams. Some of the best memories were made at the ball fields. She loved supporting her nieces and nephews at their sporting and school events and rarely missed an opportunity to show her encouragement from the stands.
Wendy was deeply loved by all her family, friends, and many daycare families whose lives she touched. She leaves behind a legacy of love, patience, and kindness. Her memory will live on in the countless children she helped raise and in the lives she assisted through her selfless organ donations.
Wendy’s family is grateful for the many joyful memories she created with them and for the comfort those memories will bring in the years to come. They extend their heartfelt appreciation to everyone who encouraged her, lifted her spirits, sent messages, prayed for her, or contributed to her medical fund. The kindness and generosity shown by the community were truly remarkable.
The family also expresses their deepest gratitude to the dedicated doctors, nurses, medical teams, and hospital staff members who cared for Wendy throughout the past several months, St. Anthony Regional Hospital, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. Their compassion and commitment meant the world to her family.
Wendy was preceded in death by her nephew, Kavon Hahn, her father, Ray Sapp, her mother, Doris Sapp, her best friend Dale Reineke, and many beloved aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her siblings, Kathy Schulte (Jeff), Tammy Sapp, Tim Sapp (Joann) and Jeff Sapp (Ramona), 19 nieces and nephews and their spouses, and many great-nieces and nephews.
