Sandra L. Brenneman, 88, of Marion, Iowa, passed peacefully on January 13, 2024, after an extended illness. Visitation will be held from 10 - 11 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, with a brief Memorial Service to follow. Burial will follow at noon at Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion, Iowa.
Sandra was born on April 1, 1935, in Manchester, Iowa, to Robert and Alta Matthews. She shared her childhood with her siblings, Sharon and Richard. Sandra was united in marriage to Ralph F. Brenneman on December 10, 1955. She spent her early married life raising five children. Sandra was a charter member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and also a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Society. She graduated from Mount Mercy with an LPN degree on December 11, 1970, and worked at St. Luke’s Hospital for ten years, before joining her husband working at Brenneman and Associates in Marion. Sandra was a very gracious person, always willing to help anyone in need. She had a beautiful smile, was kindhearted, loved her family very much, and looked forward to spending time with family and friends.
Sandra is survived by her children, Brad (Gina) Brenneman of Daytona Beach, Florida, Lisa (Doug) Excell of Westfield, Indiana, Scott (Karen) Brenneman of Marion, Erin (Dan) Evans of Marion, and Dave (Debra) Brenneman of Central City, Iowa; brother, Richard (Sharon) Matthews of Cedar Rapids; as well as her close cousins, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Sandra was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Brenneman; her parents, Robert and Alta Matthews; and her sister, Sharon Meikle.
Her family would like to thank the staff of Woodland Terrace Retirement Community of Carmel, Indiana, as well as Care Hospice of Carmel, Indiana (nurse, Kim Josey) for their care of Sandra. A special thank you to Diego Amaya who was Sandra’s beloved constant caregiver for years whom she loved dearly.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sandra’s memory to the Salvation Army or the Alzheimer Association.