Arla Sahagian

Arla Bernice (Liebsch) Sahagian, 95 years old, passed from this life on Sunday,  January 28, 2024. Arla was born on January 26, 1929, to Walter and Helen Liebsch in South Milwaukee. She was the youngest of 3 children. Arla was a 1941 graduate of South Milwaukee High School. She worked for the Marine Bank in South Milwaukee and then at Lucas-Milhaupt in Cudahy for over 25 years. Arla married Peter Sahagian in 1952 and together they had 3 children: John, Jan and Jill. They divorced in 1969.

Arla’s passion was singing. She had a beautiful voice and sang everyday she could. She sang with the The Romany Singers, the Florentine Opera Company and the Cantare Chorale, and maintained close friendships with her voice teacher and high school friends throughout her life. She was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church in South Milwaukee and sang in the church choir there for over 40 years.

Arla also loved animals and had many pets in her life from dogs to cats to horses. She spent hundreds of hours walking her dogs at Grant Park and riding the bridal trails on her horse. Arla also liked to cross country ski, bike ride, swim and travel. She visited many National Parks in the US and traveled to 12 other countries.

Arla is survived by her 3 children: John Sahagian of Cudahy, Jan Sahagian-Crandall of La Crosse, and Jill Sahagian of South Milwaukee; and her 4 grandchildren: Jacob of Franklin, Jonathan of Chicago, Illinois, Jordynn Sahagian of Ocala, Florida and Cameron Sahagian- Crandall of Brownsville, TX.

Arla was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Helen, and her two brothers, Orville and Jerry Liebsch.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm at the First Congregational Church (1111 N Chicago Ave., South Milwaukee)  on Sunday, May 19, 2024, with visitation from 12 pm until the time of service at 1:00pm. Arla loved music and animals so memorials may be given to the Milwaukee Conservatory of Music or the Best Friends Animal Society in her name.