Sarah Elizabeth (nee Cotton) Kessler passed away on May 20, 2016 at the age of 99. She was born in Bloomington, Indiana on March 18, 1917 to Harold and Harriet Moore Cotton and was raised on the family farm on Ryker's Ridge, Madison, Indiana.  Upon graduating from high school, Sarah entered nurse's training at IU School of Nursing, and graduated in 1939 as a registered nurse. Before her graduation, she was hired by Riley Hospital and remained with Riley until her retirement in 1976. She served in many positions from a floor nurse to Night Supervisor and completed her career as Manager of the Parent Care Unit.

Sarah was preceded in death by her parents, siblings James Cotton and Helen Cotton Thompson, husbands, Victor G. Varmo, Herbert Reinhardt, Dick Kessler, and her son, Larry Victor Varmo. She is survived by daughters; Judith Varmo Karstens and Victoria Varmo Shepard; daughter-in-law, Beverlee Varmo; step-daughter, Nancy Reinhardt Slye; step-sons, Rick Reinhardt and John Kessler, 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Her many interests included being a member of the Indianapolis Chapter of the Embroiderer's Guild, playing bridge and being a care giver to many.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Plainfield United Methodist Church, 600 Simmons Street, with the funeral service immediately following.  Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riley Children’s Foundation, 30 South Meridian Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204-4539.

Online condolences can be made at www.bakerfuneralservice.com

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