Sara Connelly Hain Arnold was born February 24, 1935 in Crawford, NE. She quietly and peacefully entered into heaven on January 19, 2022 at her home in Scottsbluff at the age of 86. She was the third of 10 children born to Frank and Jessie (Reed) Connelly. Sara grew up on the family’s farm outside of Whitney, NE along the White River. She attended a one room school, District 24, In Dawes County, NE. She completed her first three years of high school at Assumption Academy in Chadron. She spent her senior year and graduated from Crawford High in Crawford, NE.
At seventeen years old she began her teaching career at the Lemon Rural School and other rural schools in the Hemingford and Rushville area. She moved to Scottsbluff, where she met and married Orrin Hain on June 6, 1960 at St. Agnes Church. They settled on a farm in Lake Alice before moving into Scottsbluff. She remained married to Orrin until his passing in December 2002.
In March of 1969, they adopted a daughter Kathleen. A son Doug followed in 1971. When the children started school, Sara taught at the Lake Alice and Lake Minatare Schools, teaching first and second grades. She continued there until her retirement in 2003. Teaching was not just a job, but a vocation, and a passion. She truly loved children. She was blessed to have a hand in developing, encouraging, and directing so many young lives.
In her retirement, Sara loved square dancing and round dancing, serving leadership roles and dancing in many states. Through a shared love of square-dancing, Sara met Jerry Arnold. They wed on May 15, 2009 at the St. Agnes Church. The couple was very active in the square dance community, the church, and the chili cook-off scene. They remained faithful, loving and caring partners until the end.
Sara’s Catholic faith was strong and deep. She was active in the church, daily in prayer, regularly at Mass. She would tell her children many times, “Turn your problems over to God. Place them in His hands.” Sara found beauty everywhere. She was an artist, a musician and a dancer. She would sing her children off to sleep. She played piano and accordion. Her work in watercolor paint was prominently displayed and won ribbons in local art shows. One could always see her hands clapping or her toes tapping. She loved to sing “The old Rugged Cross”. She saw Beauty and created Beauty around her.
She leaves to cherish her husband Jerry Arnold, daughter Kathleen (Ray) Cole, and son Doug Hain; Grandchildren Simon Hain, Faith Cole, Sol Hain, and R.J. Cole; Siblings Bill (Merna) Connelly, Colleen (George) Kamas, Tom (Evelyn) Connelly, Pat Connelly, Mary Ann (Glynn) Felkins, and Dave (Jeanine) Connelly; and scores of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by first husband Orrin Hain, parents Frank and Jessie Connelly, brothers Joe Connelly, Frank (a.k.a. Mike) Connelly, and Tim Connelly, Niece Rhonda Johnson, nephew Frank Kamas, brothers-in-law George Kamas and Glen Felkins.
Visitation will be held on Friday February 4, 2022 at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel from 3-6 pm with the Rosary at 6 pm. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 10 am at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Scottsbluff with inurnment to follow at 2 pm at the Crawford Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the family for a designation at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dugankramer.com for the Arnold family.
