Sandra Spain

Sandra Spain

1936-2020

Sandra Spain, daughter of Cecil Merritt and Beulah Faye Gott Walsh, was born June 8, 1936 near Searsboro, Iowa.  She graduated from North English high school with the class of 1955. Her class has remained great friends.  Sandy married Harlan Spain on Oct. 31, 1955 in Lancaster, Mo.  Harlan was in the Air Force and they were stationed in Denver, Colo.; Lincoln, Neb.; Presque Isle, Maine and Topeka, Kan. before discharge and move to southern California in 1963.
After retirement in 1999 they moved back to Iowa, living in What Cheer many years.  Sandy enjoyed her family, her Church and time spent with the “Church Basement Ladies”, their Wednesday Bible brunch and study time.  She loved working on her family history, but also enjoyed playing golf and for several years winter travels to warmer climates of Arizona, California, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi or Texas.
On Dec. 9, 2020 Sandy lost a short but brave battle with a vicious pancreatic cancer and died at her home at the age of 84 years, 6 months, and 1 day.
Her surviving family includes her husband, Harlan Spain, of What Cheer; daughter Kim Spain of What Cheer, daughter Cindy Spain and her husband Stephen Town of Washington state, granddaughters Alyssa and Brianna Town of Washington state; and sister Pamela Galbraith of Marysville, Mo.
Sandy is preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter Mary Sue; sister Karen Hillyard, and her beloved in-laws, Harley and Helen Spain.
A memorial celebration of life will be held at a later date.  Interment will be at Indianapolis Cemetery in Mahaska county, Iowa
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be sent in Sandy’s name to the What Cheer United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 306, What Cheer, IA 50268