Luella M. Saurbeir

When Luella was younger, she loved to paint, draw, and even make snow sculptures. Anything related to art, she was good at! She grew up along with her four siblings in Combined Locks. She graduated from Kimberly High School in 1952. Her first love was Elvis Presley. Then in 1956 she married her true love, James Eslinger. After having five children, their family was complete. They enjoyed the simple things in life. Camping was a favorite, at least for the kids. During the holidays, Luella would paint the big bay windows with Christmas scenes, or pumpkins and black cats for Halloween. She was so talented at this.  

She also loved to sew and made the most beautiful clothes for the children’s barbie dolls. Before she was a mother and wife, her dream was to have a career in fashion design. Making the doll clothes satisfied her lost dream to some degree. Although money was tight, as far as families go, hers was rich; rich in love, and blessed with one another. This all changed in 1972 when Jim passed away from a brain tumor. Life as they knew it changed that day.  

Luella did the best she could under the circumstances. Family and friends helped where they could. 

In 1974, Luella met Jerome Saurbeir. They fell in love, were married, and added a sixth child to the already large family. Luella and the rest of the family seemed happy once again. Many years passed, holidays were shared, and grandchildren were added to the family tree. Oh, she loved those babies! 

Later in life, having been struck with dementia, Luella was moved into a nursing home.   

She is survived by her four children, James (Lori) Eslinger Jr., Rick Eslinger, Sharon Eslinger, and Jerry (Amber) Saurbeir. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Sara Eslinger, and her former daughter-in-law, Carrie Saurbeir and her siblings; Kathy (Mike) Palm and Alfred “Butch” (Donna) Lom Jr. as well as her brother-in-law, Ron Sanderfoot. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews as well as many grand, great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren. Luella is survived by her special friends, Bonnie, Lisa Maas, Jo, Keith and Barb, Bob and Barb, and Shirley and all the loving caregivers at St. Paul Elder Services.  

Luella was preceded in death by her husband James Eslinger, her parents Alfred and Vera Lom, her brother, Bob Lom, her two sons, Thomas and Kenneth Eslinger, and her sister, Faith Sanderfoot.  

The funeral liturgy for Luella will be held for Luella on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 4:00 pm at St. Paul Catholic Church, located at 410 Wallace Street in Combined Locks. Visitation will be held at the church that day beginning at 2:00 pm. 

Missing her is truly an understatement, but we will all carry her memory in our hearts until we meet again. We are sure mom is painting something beautiful in heaven for the angels to adore.