Sherril Sarlandt

Sherril Sarlandt

Sherril Sarlandt cared for the newborns arriving at Community Hospital's maternity ward for 30 years and had a special knack for calming even the fussiest babies.

She taught new mothers to breast feed, change diapers and bathe newborns as a licensed vocational nurse, and she trained new doctors in the hospital's residency program to handle the babies.

Sarlandt, a resident of Santa Rosa for more than 60 years, died Aug. 29 of cancer. She was 69.

"When she was younger she fought through everything," said her daughter, Jennifer Wallace of Santa Rosa. "It didn't matter what was thrown at her. She was going to make it."

Born in Yuba City and raised in Santa Rosa, Sarlandt attended Santa Rosa Junior College and was a member of one of the first nursing classes to graduate from SRJC. She married the late Oscar Sarlandt in 1958 and had two children.

She led the Wild Oak 4-H agricultural youth group when her children were young. She ran a rabbit program to teach members how to show and care for the furry animals.

"Her motto for raising my brother and I was to keep us busy so we would stay out of trouble," her daughter said. "It worked pretty well."

The 4-H members also learned how to stitch compliments of Sarlandt. She taught her young members cross stitch, needle point and other embroidery techniques. She also was an avid member of the Redwood Stitcher's Guild.

After she became a grandmother, she returned to the 4-H club to teach her grandchildren the same lessons she had taught years before.

"She would watch my kids after school," her daughter said. "During the summertime, she would teach them to plan a menu, go buy the stuff and teach the kids to make a meal for the entire family."

Sarlandt also is survived by her son, Oscar Sarlandt of Cloverdale, and four grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Friday.

Donations may be made to the Senior Advocacy Services in Santa Rosa.

-- Tracie Morales