Sara Canada

Sara A. Canada, 89, of Perham, MN, passed away at her home on June 13, 2026.

She was born on July 25, 1936, in Perham to Richard and Anne (Dragseth) Schmidt in Perham.

Sara lived a life marked by creativity, faith, and devotion to family and community. After graduating from Perham High School, she studied Art at Concordia College in Moorhead and then pursued fashion in Chicago, where she went to school and worked in merchandising and modeling. She went on to get married, live in San Antonio and then Indiana where she had her three sons. After marriage she went back to school and received her teaching degree from Bemidji State University. Her career in teaching started in 1978; teaching Special Education in the Detroit Lakes High School and lasted until her retirement.

A life-long Lutheran, Sara served as a Sunday school teacher and Ladies Aid member, sharing her faith through service and kindness. She enjoyed art, gardening, travel, nature, and time spent with friends and horses – including riding horses around the community when she was young with her friend Margaret. During her retirement years, she volunteered at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the History Museum of East Otter Tail County in Perham. Her travels over the years took her to many States here in the U.S. and overseas to Germany twice, Russia, Italy, and the Orient three times, one of which was to Singapore as a representee in education for the ‘People to People’ program. She supported the Arts by being a member at various museums, attending several theatrical productions, and also a season ticket holder to the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony for the last 40+ years. She believed in protecting the environment, animals, and their natural habitat… even adopting a panda on one of her trips to China.

She is survived by her sons, Craig, Kurt, and Kyle; and was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James “Jim” Schmidt. She also leaves behind nieces and nephews who will cherish her memory.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Perham, MN. Interment will be at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Perham.

Schoeneberger Funeral and Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com