In Loving Memory of Sarah Jean Kozar. Born in Hudson, WI on June 24, 1974, she entered God’s loving arms on October 7, 2020.
Sarah was loved and will be missed by many relatives, extended family, and friends. She is survived by her parents Judy (Arnold) and Jerry Kozar; sisters Heidi (Pete) Hartz, Kelly Kozar, and Katrina Kozar; nephews Isaac, Silas, and Luke Hartz; aunts Kathy Keefer, Jeanie Kozar (Bill Wood), Sue (Randy) Spangle, Ellen (Rick) Schilla; uncle and godfather Rick (Diane) Arnold, Bill (Dona) Arnold; cousins Laurie (Tim) Bauer, Steve (Jenni) Spangle, Joscelyn (Corey) Skandel, Becky (Tim) Plackner, and McQuade (Jenna) Arnold. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, aunt and godmother Carole Pflug, and uncles Steve Pflug and Bill Keefer.
At a young age, Sarah’s natural talents started to shine. Her music career began at the age of four by singing with her father in church. During a family road trip, Heidi and Sarah wrote their first musical hit, “Valentine’s Day Song”. As a child, she loved playing dress-up with her sisters and enjoyed drawing and sewing. A life long dream between the four sisters was to create a coffee house called “Four Lumps of Sugar.”
In high school, she continued to show her artistic talents in choir and art classes. She was awarded the Presidential Scholarship by the Cleveland Institute of Art and Design where she graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Ceramics.
While attending college, in addition to playing piano, she taught herself to play guitar. She started her first band in Cleveland playing at local coffee shops. After graduation, Sarah returned home to Milwaukee and became a resident of Riverwest. She had a variety of jobs including teaching art classes, graphic design, selling her art at local galleries, and continued to play open mic nights around town.
Her passion for music led to her second band, The Sarah Kozar Band, which transitioned into Sixty-Watt-Sarah. They played and toured the Midwest with a great following of fans and released a CD called All Night to Kansas City. She then became the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the Western Starlanders.
Coming from a musical family, singing and playing instruments came easily. Following in family tradition, Sarah learned to play accordion, just like her aunt Carole and grandpa John. With a love for polka, Sarah co-founded the Riverwest Accordion Club. Her “squeezing” talents led her to help form The Squeezettes, an accordion band that won local music awards and released a CD. They had fun playing at bars, weddings, celebrations, music festivals, Summerfest and so much more!
Sarah also co-wrote the polka “Did I Close Wolski’s?” for their 100-year anniversary.
Sarah didn’t just love to entertain from the stage, she loved to entertain friends and family with her cooking delights. She was the “Hostess with the Mostess” and always sent you home with food. She loved to create new recipes and always gave the best homemade gifts.
Her love for travel spread across the United States and Europe.
Sarah was smart, witty, loved animals, a “fix-it gal”, loved thrift shopping, had an eclectic style, and a smile that lit up any room.
She will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts.
A Celebration of Life will be held when it is safe to do so.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of her memory, please consider donating to the Milwaukee Hunger Task Force. www.hungertaskforce.org/donate/honor-tribute-gifts/
Valentine’s Day Song
I love you, yes I do
Oh, I love you in the morning
And I love you at night so be my Valentine, my Valentine
And be my sweetheart and my mistletoe to me dear
Yes, I love you tonight, you’ll never change my mind
You make my heart patter,
And my feet tingle whenever I see your face
I love you so much, come to my love land
To be my Valentine forevermore