Sarah Ann (Siebenaler) Hackenmiller, 36, of Rochester passed away Sunday, August 4 ^th , 2013, due to complications from a lifelong battle with Cystic Fibrosis and a recent double lung transplant.

Sarah was born in Rochester to James and Sheila (Pervin) Siebenaler on June 7 ^th , 1977.  Diagnosed with CF at 18 months old, she was given a life expectancy of only about 18 years. Growing up on a small hobby farm, she loved raising and caring for animals. She attended John Marshall High School, where she played the flute in the band. She credited this with developing her lung capacity that kept her healthy later in life. Sarah attended Rochester Community College, obtaining her AA degree in 2002, and graduated from St Mary's in Winona with a BA in Graphic Design in 2004.

She married Christopher Hackenmiller, also of Rochester, in 2005. They enjoyed spending time with their dog, Marco, and taking road trips and long walks when she was able.

Sarah worked at IBM, Embroidery Plus, and then Rochester Community Education as a graphic designer for 8 years, before starting a business selling her artwork and illustrations.  She was hospitalized in June of 2011 and spent 4 ½ months in ICU before receiving a double lung transplant in October of 2011. Sarah and her family are grateful for the care and kindness of her doctors and nurses.

Family was the most important part of Sarah's life; she loved holidays and family gatherings.  As her health failed, she spent time recounting family vacations; it was a source of comfort and strength. She especially loved her nieces and nephews.

She never looked at her illness as a curse, but rather embraced it as part of the guiding force that helped her become the woman she was; Sarah was kind to everyone she met.  That kindness gave her a gentle strength that drew people to her. Even at her most painful moments she pointed out how others were suffering more than she and was thankful for the life she had. She always found the silver lining.

Sarah died peacefully at St. Mary's with her family by her side.

She is survived by her parents, James and Sheila Siebenaler of Rochester; her husband, Christopher Hackenmiller of Rochester; siblings, Tricia (Chris) Hedrick and their children Josephine and Cooper of Baldwin, WI and Tony (Alana) Siebenaler-Ransom and their children Grae and Kai of Minneapolis.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alex and Olivia Siebenaler, and Frank and Henrietta Pervin, and by her father-in-law Kenneth Hackenmiller.

A visitation will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester on Thursday, August 8 from 5-7pm and a Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m., also at Gloria Dei. There will be a visitation before the service starting at 10 a.m.

Sarah requested, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or to the Mayo Clinic for Cystic Fibrosis care.

Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com