Services Set for St. Michael-Albertville Graduate Killed in Sunday Crash

Funeral services for the 28-year-old woman killed in a Sunday morning accident in Maple Grove have been scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, July 15 at Life in Christ Lutheran Church, 5015 Main Ave. NE, Albertville. 

Sara Rose Deckert, a 2001 graduate of St. Michael-Albertville High School, was broadsided by a man authorities suspected of driving while under the influnce when he was pulled over at 1 a.m.

Jeremiah Robert Wall, 34, of Albertville, sped away from the stop and blew through red light at the intersection of 93rd Avenue and County Road 81 in Maple Grove, according the Minnesota State Highway Patrol. 

He broadsided Deckert's car, killing both drivers. 

Deckert's father, Don, said to Patch via Facebook message he is "still in shock" over the death of his daughter, a quiet girl who was recently finding her niche.

She had been working at Stearns Manufacturing, but took off this spring for Nicaragua, where she taught Spanish and English. 

She was remembered by a friend from Granada in a blog today, posted here. 

She was a huge fan of music, her father said, particularly the Smashing Pumpkins. 

The band included a tribute to Sara on its Facebook page, seen here. 

She was recently made an aunt by her sister, Amber, who said she was "heartbroken" her daughter's aunt would never "see her grow up." 

She would have been an aunt for the second time, as her sister, Leah, is expecting. She is survived by one other sister, Arielle. 

Karen Horsch, Sara's mother, told Twin CitiesKMSP that "I can't forgive [Wall]. I know I'm supposed to." 

Sara is survived by her father, mother and three sisters; her step-mother, Beverly Deckert; grandparents Charlotte Deckert, Edwin and Stella Pikal and Will and Betty Dahn; and many close friends.

She was preceded in death by her step-father, Alan Horsch, and grandfather, Arthur Deckert.

A visitation and viewing will be held two hours prior to the funeral service Friday at Life in Christ Church.