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Sandi Boyer, 81, of Dallas Center, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 2:30 pm, at Iles-Brandt Funeral Home, 1301 Ash St., Dallas Center, IA. Family will be present prior to the service for Visitation. There will be a small Graveside service in the spring at the Fairview Cemetery in Lenox, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Sandra June (Sturm) Boyer was born June 30, 1941 in Villisca, Iowa to Howard Edwin Sturm and Sarah June (Higgins) Sturm. She grew up with her brother, Gordon Sturm, on a farm in Gravity, Iowa. She attended country school through the 8th Grade at Hickory Grove No. 8 in Washington Township. Sandi attended High School in Gravity and graduated in 1959. Sandi’s family were blessed with musical talent and she played piano and trombone, enjoyed singing in the school choir and even played her trombone and sang in the family band, The Sturm Combo, with Mother, June playing the organ or piano, Grandmother Ollie on the drums, Father, Howard playing the guitar or banjo, Grandfather Harl on the saxophone, brother, Gordon on the saxophone and Sandi playing trombone and singing. The Sturm Combo (formerly known as “Harl Sturm and his Orchestra) played at dances and clubs and the VFW on Saturday nights and for other special events.
The family travelled to many historical places during her school years, and took school friends along as well. Sandi enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
Sandi studied business and music at Clarinda Jr College, where she continued singing and performing at different events. She worked for the National Farmers Organization and the Clarinda Herald Journal after college.
Sandi grew up with animals on the farm. She has carried that love throughout her life, passing it down to her children and grandchildren. Sandi has had many beloved dogs over the years, but Buster (aka Bubba) was the one that lived nearly 17 years, he traveled many miles with her and was a wonderful companion.
Sandi was a member of the United Methodist Church in Gravity, Iowa then in New Market, Iowa, DeSoto, Iowa and became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Dallas Center, Iowa when she moved here in 1995. Sandi’s love for her Savior has always been strong. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School classes. She was very involved with the Church Bible Studies and had a weekly study group that rotated between the friends homes for several years.
Sandi married Ray Boyer on December 26, 1999, at Purviance Farms Retreat. They had been high school classmates and had met again at a Gravity Class reunion. Sandi and Ray lived in Dallas Center for 20 years, where they were close to Sandi’s parents who were living in Spurgeon Manor and daughter, Lori Kelly and her three daughters, who also lived in Dallas Center.
Sandi had three children from a previous marriage:Lori Kelly (Joe), Luci McVey (Dylan), Todd Miller (Jamie). Grandchildren: Ashley Soloman, Stephanie Knoll (Steven), Jessie Soloman, Wesley Dalton, Alex Miller, Jack Miller and Max Miller. Great Grandchildren: Alice Dalton, Harper Dalton, Billie Allen and Conner Knoll. Sandi spent most of her free time with her granddaughters, daughter and parents. She would have sleep-overs that were so fun, that the three girls would often tell their Mom that they just wanted to stay with Grandma. This was what brought joy to her heart.
Sandi worked as a Hospice Aide for 20 years, travelling central Iowa to help many families in their time of need. Sandi shared her Faith and love of God with each and every one of her patients, giving them comfort in their final days. Sandi was dearly loved by these families and she loved them all as well.
Sandi had been residing at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center for almost 2 years.She was always ready to visit with the staff and loved nearly all of them. She enjoyed going to the music events, and could sing along to about any song they could play, she even knew some songs the musicians would promise to practice up on. She also enjoyed the Church services, bingo and Celebration events. She looked forward to seeing her children and grandchildren at the Manor and sharing the great grandchildren with everyone.
Sandi was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and June Sturm, 2 infant daughters: Angel Baby and Cindy Marie, great grandson Dakota Dalton and brother, Gordon Sturm.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ray Boyer, her 3 children, 3 step-children, 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Carren Sturm and Brenda Williams, several nieces and nephews and many friends.
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