Donelda Ruth Sage
July 6, 1939-Dec. 22, 2025
OSAGE CITY — Donelda Ruth Sage, Burlingame, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Osage City. She was 86.
She was born July 6, 1939, in Woodlawn, the daughter of Donald Arick and Ruth (Beer) Arick. Growing up, she attended the Church of Brethren in Sabetha. She went to Sabetha High School, and graduated with the Class of 1957. She then attended McPherson College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in 1961.
Donelda was united in marriage to Richard J. Sage on May 26, 1978, in Topeka.
She had many careers, including acting as director of the student union at McPherson College for one year, doing clerical work for the Kansas State Board of Education, working as a librarian for the Burlingame Public Library, and as a substitute teacher at Bollingbrook, Ill., and Burlingame.
When she wasn’t busy working or serving her church, Donelda also enjoyed making cakes, canning, reading, cooking for her family and workers on the farm. Her caring nature always impacted the people who worked on the farm, and many of them felt like family. She was also active in her community as a member of the Lydia Circle at the Federated Church of Burlingame.
Donelda was preceded in death by her husband, Richard J. Sage; a daughter, Denise; her parents, Donald Arick and Ruth (Beer) Arick; a brother, John Arick; a sister, Martha Arick; and three grandsons, Johnathan Anstaett, David Anstaett and Ethan Sage.
She is survived by two daughters, Anje Anstaett (Randy), Olathe, and Edie Higgins (Jerry), Chester, Va.; a son, Eric Sage (Crystal), Burlingame; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many friends.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Dec. 27, 2025, at the Federated Church in Burlingame.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Burlingame Community Library, and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 194, Burlingame, KS 66413.
Condolences may be left for the family at Lamb-Roberts.com.
