Mary Elaine Sandman 1929-2011

SANDMAN RADEMACHER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/6/2011 at 19:44:44

Sioux City Journal
8 February 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Mary Elaine Sandman, 82, of Rockford, Ill., formerly of Sioux City, died Feb. 5, 2011, in Rockford following a brief illness.

Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel in Sioux City, with the Rev. Del Olivier officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mary was born Jan. 2, 1929, to Ione and Leonard Rademacher. She lived in Inglewood, Calif., for five years until her husband died suddenly in an automobile accident.

Mary was 26 years old at that time and returned to Sioux City, where she spent the next 12 years working at Johnson Biscuit Co. She made lifelong friends there and met and fell in love with Jerry Carl Sandman. They were married on Dec. 30, 1970. They lived in Rockford, Ill., until his death on Jan. 27, 2009. While in Rockford, Mary worked as a chef and was a wonderful cook and baker. She loved the interaction with the people most of all and loved to tease and joke with the younger employees.

Mary was a strong and fiercely independent woman. It was not unusual to find her doing plumbing, woodworking or other home repairs. She was not afraid to voice her opinion or take a stand about something she believed in. She was a survivor and a fighter and a force to be reckoned with if she thought something was unfair or unjust. Yet, she was also a gentle and spiritual soul who had a great passion for the earth. She eagerly awaited for spring each year so she could plant her flowers and garden and be in the sun everyday. Mary was an avid fisherman and boater earlier in her life and spent many happy days on Lake Mead.

She is survived by her daughter, Lyn (Kermit) Wilson; two grandchildren, Brett (Tamara) Rogers and Traci (Mike) Falbo; 10 great-grandchildren, Bari, Nick, Aaron, Austin, Jacob, Tyler, Tate, Tess, Mackenzie and Logan; and a niece, Nancy Phillips.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Leoanrd Rademacher Jr. and his wife, Darline.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.