Sara Kay Walthery

Sara Kay Walthery (77), of Cass County, Indiana, died unexpectedly Thursday, August 14th, 2025. Sara was born June 10th, 1948 to Helen Davidson Penny and Benjamin Penny of Cass County. Sara grew up in the Gary, Indiana region, graduated with a BA from IU Bloomington, and later obtained a masters degree from Indiana Wesleyan.

 Sara fell in love with her future husband Peter Walthery while in Bloomington, and they were married April 26th, 1970. They have two children, Robin Walthery Allen and Alan Lee Walthery; the family has lived in both Brown and Bartholomew County. When Sara and Pete moved to Logansport in 2004 as a caregiver for her mother, she also worked as an activity director for Mckinney House. Previously she was employed through nonprofits and as administrative support for an engineering firm that specialized in the restoration of iron bridges. She had also served as president of an Extension Homemakers Club and was involved in local community craft fairs. Sara and Pete have been members of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem Township.

 An accomplished folk musician, Sara became known as a Celtic harp player who entertained at the hospital as well as several area rehabilitation facilities, including Woodbridge (Logansport) and Blair Ridge (Peru). She performed at Black Dog Coffee House and the local library among other venues. One of her favorite spots to play music both solo and with others has been the Logansport Farmers Market, so vendors and patrons would recognize her harp, accordion, and ukelele tunes. Sara held music as a gift to share with others and a means of celebrating the world. She taught harp and piano as well as music theory, and her voice and gentle encouragement will be deeply missed.

 Nothing made Sara happier than spending time with friends and family, hosting gatherings, and sharing meals. Her pickles are as renowned as her homemade potato salad. Sara was an avid reader and gardener, especially nurturing native wildlife and pollinators. She had many friends in the folk music and living history communities and took an interest in genealogy and history. We were so lucky to have known her and to be loved by her.

 Sara is survived by her husband Pete Walthery, her children Robin Walthery Allen and Alan Lee Walthery, and her grandchildren Nellie and Lily Walthery. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Gerald Penny.

 A celebration of life will take place on the second Saturday of October, 2025.

My life flows on in endless song 

Above earth’s lamentation. 

I hear the real, though far off hymn

 That hails the new creation

Above the tumult and the strife,

 I hear the music ringing;

 It sounds an echo in my soul 

How can I keep from singing?

 What though the tempest loudly roars,

 I hear the truth, it liveth.

 What though the darkness round me close,

 Songs in the night it giveth.

 No storm can shake my inmost calm

 While to that rock I’m clinging.

 Since love is lord of Heaven and earth

 How can I keep from singing?

 When tyrants tremble, sick with fear, 

And hear their death-knell ringing,

 When friends rejoice both far and near,

 How can I keep from singing?

 In prison cell and dungeon vile

 Our thoughts to them are winging.

 When friends by shame are undefiled,

 How can I keep from singing?

How Can I Keep from Singing?

by Pauline T & Robert Lowry

Hymn written 1868