Sandra Kay "Sandi" Smeltzer

Sandra Kay Smeltzer passed away in West Des Moines, on December 7, 2015. Sandra (Sandi), the eldest daughter of Verle and Wanita Christensen, was born in Greenfield, Iowa. Sandi helped to raise each of her siblings while her mother worked, and she assisted her father with his farm and his business in her youth. She married her husband, Bob Smeltzer, on March 5, 1960. She and Bob had three children, Jeff, Steve, and Krystyna (Krys), to whom she was a wonderful, caring mother.

Sandi began her education in a one-room school in Adair County. One of her memories of that time was going to school with her father on horseback. She later went to school in Stuart, then Dexter, and graduated from the newly formed Dexfield High in Redfield at age seventeen. One special teacher was Dorothy Sanborn, who was her third grade teacher. Another special teacher was Trish Lyddon Smeltzer, who was her eighth grade teacher, and later her sister-in-law. Sandi enjoyed drama, basketball, and softball in high school. She served as class Vice President, and was elected Homecoming Queen as a junior at Dexter High.

After moving to Dexter from Menlo, Sandi was active in the Dexter United Methodist Church, later teaching Sunday school and Bible School. She was very involved in helping with special dinners; a favorite memory was helping with funeral dinners with her daughter, Krys, playing in the school rooms.

Sandi worked at many places in Dexter, including the Brenton Bank and Casey’s, before she and Bob purchased the Atkins Grocery Store, which they owned and managed for many years. While operating the grocery store, Sandri began her 30-year tenure with Drake University. She started at Drake in the Advertising Department as a secretary, and then became the Dean’s Assistant at the Drake Law School, where she earned the nickname “Dean Smeltzer”. After ten years at the law school, she was hired as the Budget Assistant to the Provost, a position created for her by the Provost at that time.

Sandi was a lifetime learner. While working at Drake University, Sandi began her college education, earning four degrees. She was the first in her family to earn a college degree. She ended her formal education during her PhD program of study, but never stopped taking classes, even after retirement. Sandi’s three children attended Drake, as well. Sandi was recognized for numerous achievements at Drake University, and when she retired was one of few individuals to receive a blue Drake phone.

In her spare time, Sandi enjoyed gardening; she created beautiful gardens. She also enjoyed shopping for antiques and spending time with her grandchildren. She always had a story to tell about her grandchildren’s latest achievements. She loved interior design and DIY projects, and she and Bob completed many projects, including building and installing a Victorian porch on their home in Dexter.

After retiring from Drake, Sandi became a dutiful full-time caregiver to Bob until she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer in April of 2015.

Sandi is survived by her husband, Bob; her children Jeff (Jill) and Krys (Bruce); and her beloved grandchildren: Lisa (Adam), Sara, and Samantha and Lydia, Sophie, and Zack. She is also survived by a brother Ted (Ruth), and 5 sisters: Beverly, Cheryl, Pam (Jack), and twins Janet and Janice. Sandi has one brother-in-law, John Smeltzer. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, and their children, as well as many aunts and uncles. She was preceded in death by her son, Steve, in 2015; mother in 1991; and father in 1996.

The family would like to thank the following individuals for their care of Sandi: Lily, Sandi’s Unity Point nurse; Dominique, Unity Point Substitute Nurse; Dr. Wehbe and Kerry from Mercy Oncology; the caring staff at The Cottages of Bickford; and the staff from Hospice of Central Iowa.

A celebration of life will be held Monday, December 28 at 1:00 PM at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, in Des Moines, with family gathering at 12:30.

Memorials may be sent to the Dexter United Methodist Church in Sandi’s name, or to the Sandra Smeltzer Endowed Student Scholarship Fund, Drake University, 2507 University, Des Moines, IA 50311.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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