Sandra Hunter peacefully passed away on February 26, 2026, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, with family by her side. She was 78 years old.

Sandra Jean Hunter was born June 26, 1947, in Sioux City, IA, to John and Joyce (Winn) Hunter. She attended high school in Sioux City, IA. Following high school, she would pursue a degree in nursing and graduate from the St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing through Briar Cliff College. With her nursing degree, she would go on to become a full-time RN for many years in various places while also taking on multiple part-time jobs to support her two children, Randi and Terry. In 1990, Sandy moved to Sioux Falls, SD, with her son Terry and worked for Sioux Valley Hospital. She then helped start Ohara Manage Care, becoming a case manager. She ended her nursing career and retired as a traveling nurse. She absolutely loved being a traveling nurse going all over the country. She made sure to only pick the places to be based at that were the warmest. I mean why wouldn't she? She deserved it.

Sandy enjoyed doing many different things over the years. From bowling and golfing to playing a mean game of bingo. She was extremely competitive and really hated losing. Especially at the casinos. She loved her casino time and getting dropped off at the same location every weekend, talking to the gals, playing the same machine, and playing the exact same numbers on Keno. Guess what, she never lost and always came out ahead.  She loved playing cards on the holidays with family, crocheting, planting flowers with her grandkids, and watching the news…all day long. She enjoyed the finer things in life like a comfortable night gown, Coca-Cola, York peppermint patties, caramels, chocolate covered cherries, and a good ol' glass of tomato beer filled to the top with crushed ice eating it with a spoon. Yep, a spoon. She also made the best chicken and noodle soup.  Even living by herself, she always made enough to have us come over and send some home for everyone to enjoy. But the one thing she genuinely loved more than anything else is seeing her grandkids grow and spending any time giving them her love and wisdom to become great in the future. She also had nicknames for all of them and rarely called them by their real names.

She will be lovingly remembered by her son, Terry (Adrienne) Hunter; grandchildren, Jozie, Sadie, and Jordan Hunter; Jessy Brinson; great grandchildren, Caeley, Cody, Caitlyn, Brianna, Hailey, Lucas, Ashton, and great great grandchildren, Vivian and Eli; sister, Connie Mason; brother-in-law, Robert Johnson; as well as nieces and nephews, Jerry, Tracy (Eric), John, Rick, and Rob; great niece, Courtney, her boys Hudson and Harry, and great nephew, Matthew.

Sandy is preceded in death by her father, John Hunter; mother, Joyce (Winn) Hunter; Uncle Jerry Winn; sister, Linda Johnson; daughter, Randi (Hunter) Brinson; grandchild, Jason Brinson; and nephew, Jacob Johnson.

Mom will be missed, but heaven is gaining a strong one. Being a single mother for Randi and I our entire lives was not easy at all. She sacrificed a lot to make sure we were good. I will carry on the advice she always gave me, "Cherish the great moments. In the bad moments it will be okay. You just have to SUCK IT UP."

A celebration of life for Sandy will be held at a future date for family and friends to attend.