Sandra Carolyn Steffes, 86, of Holton, Kansas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday August 24, 2024, at The Pines (North) in Holton.

Sandra was born on November 15, 1937, in Red Wing, Minnesota. She grew up in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, and attended Ellsworth High School, graduating in 1955.  Sandra went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where she earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching, in 1959.

From 1959-1964 Sandra taught Kindergarten at Roosevelt Elementary in Janesville, Wisconsin. In 1964, Sandra Kins married Eric Steffes at Faith Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, Wisconsin.  The couple made their first home in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1964-1965, where she taught Kindergarten for the public school district. The couple then moved to Akron, Ohio where she taught Kindergarten for the public school district from 1965-1966. The couple moved back to Minneapolis and lived there from 1966-1972.  She taught Kindergarten, for the final time, until 1970 before becoming a stay-at-home mom to her son, Scott. The couple moved to Des Moines, Iowa in 1972, and then to Webster City, Iowa in 1976.  Then, in 1980, the couple moved to Concordia, Kansas and lived there for 16 years until moving, in 1996, back up north to Madison, Wisconsin. From there they moved to Frankfort, Kansas, in 2015, to be closer to their son and grandchildren.  Finally, in August of 2023, the couple moved into their final destination, an assisted living home in Holton, Kansas.

Sandra was a part of the, “Who’s Who” as well as President of the Dean’s House in college.  She was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Involved with the American Cancer Society, and head of Future Teachers of America, at one time, too.

Sandra was once an avid golfer. She also enjoyed playing the card game, Bridge, with friends, husband, sister, and brother-in-law.  She was a sports fan, particularly of golf, whether playing, or watching the PGA.  The Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers were her teams she loved to cheer for with her husband, who was also a very big fan. She was very good at crossword puzzles, and enjoyed watching the game show Jeopardy, and especially her favorite of all, Wheel of Fortune.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Kins of Whitehall, Wisconsin, in January of 1979, and Delia Mattson Kins of Whitehall, WI., in October of 1971; sister Priscilla Henneman of Edina, Minnesota, May 24, 2021; and brother-in-law, Larry Henneman of Edina, MN., in March of 2022.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eric Steffes, on October 4, 2023.

Sandra is survived by her son, Scott A. Steffes of Netawaka, Kansas, grandchildren, Grant E. Steffes of Netawaka, and Jacob W. Steffes of Netawaka, KS.; her sister-in-law, Pat Manning of Suprise, Arizona; Cousins in Nebraska, and Arizona; nieces and nephews in Minnesota, Montana, and Utah.

Sandra was a very kind, intelligent, and an all-around good person.  She had lived with dementia for many years, but as anyone can attest that ever came across her, she was very complimentary and sweet. Nurses that worked with her would say that if any of them ever felt down, or not good about themselves in any given day, “Just go to Sandy Steffes’s room and she’ll make you feel more upbeat and good about yourself again.” She loved to make people smile.  She was very much loved and cared for by her family and friends. Her infectious smile will be missed, but not forgotten.

No formal services are planned, and the burial will be private.