Sarita Ileen Brant, 61 of Fairfax, died Thursday, February 12, 2015 in her home, with her husband of 38 years and family members by her side. She fought a courageous five year battle against Leiomyosarcoma cancer. Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2015 at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, with Reverend Rick Gail presiding. Burial will follow in Cedar Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 until 6 p.m. Sunday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW. Sarita was born June 28, 1953 in Hannibal, Missouri, the daughter of Wesley Payne and Julia (Kirk) Bower. She grew up in Bethel, Missouri on a Hereford cattle farm. Sarita graduated from North Shelby High School as Valedictorian of the Class of 1971. She attended Northeast Missouri State University where she received a bachelor's degree Cum Laude in Social Science. While attending the University she met the love of her life, Dennis Brant. Sarita and Dennis were married June 26, 1976 at Sharon United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, where she was a member. They made their home in Cedar Rapids, where she worked for LeFebure Corp. until the company left the area. She then worked for the City of Cedar Rapids as an inspector for 15 years. In February 2008, she found her dream job with Diamond V, where she was International Programs and Support Services Coordinator. She traveled twice to Thailand and once to Korea. She truly enjoyed her five years with Diamond V until illness forced her to retire. Sarita and Dennis enjoyed traveling. Her favorite place to visit was Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Her hobbies were antiquing and collecting German wool sheep and tin De Laval advertising cows. The time spent with family, especially her sons and grandchildren was precious to her. Sarita is survived by her husband of 38 years Dennis Brant and two sons Wesley Brant and Aaron (Makenzie) Brant both of Cedar Rapids; two sisters Yvonne (Dennis) Tuggle of Blue Springs, Missouri and Marcie Bower of Columbia, Missouri; two grandchildren Sydney Brant and Easton Payne Brant; one brother-in-law Jeff (Peggy) Anderson of Solon; one sister-in-law Nancy Adkins of Munford, Tennessee; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister-in-law Mary Ann Godwin. Donations in Sarita's memory can be made to the University of Iowa - Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center or to Hospice of Mercy in Cedar Rapids. The family especially thanks Desiree Brown who was by Sarita's side many times at the University of Iowa for chemotherapy treatment, and to Dan Willard for his support and friendship. Two more thank you's need to go out to Sarita's home hospice team (Beth, Cindy, Christine, and Kim) as well as Dr. Mohammed Milhem. "First hospice, you all four have tough jobs to do, but thank you for making Sarita comfortable. Dr. Milhem, do not ever lose your bedside manner. Your smile and patience always made Sarita happy. She was so comfortable around you. Without your help, I would have never persuaded her to seek hospice."