Sandra A. Dennis

Sandra A. Dennis, 88, of O'Neill, died Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Parkside Manor in Stuart.

Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the United Methodist Church in Wausa.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the church in Wausa. Rev. John Nelson will officiate.

Burial will be in the Magnet Cemetery in Magnet at a later date. Sandra's granddaughter is lovingly creating a custom hand-crafted clay urn to honor her memory as her husband Jesse was laid to rest in a copper urn made by their grandson.

Memorials may be made to Theresa Korth, 55358 871st Rd., Randolph, NE 68771 in Sandra's name to be used for upkeep of the Magnet Cemetery.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Wausa is in charge of the arrangements.

Sandra was born on Jan. 20, 1937, on a farm north of Randolph, to Mathew and Alice (Hansen) Lackas.In the second grade, her family moved to a farm near Belden, where she later graduated from high school in 1954. She went on to attend Wayne State College, earning a degree in elementary education while also playing on the college volleyball team.

Sandy began her career teaching second grade in Hastings, Iowa. During this time, she met the love of her life Jesse Dennis. They were married on June 28, 1958, and made their home in Magnet, where they built a life together and ran the Magnet grain elevator side-by-side for more than 40 years.

Faith and community were central to Sandy's life. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church, where she faithfully taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years. Together Sandy and Jesse raised three children Gina, Steve and Wade.

After decades of serving the farming community, Sandy and Jesse retired and moved to Yankton, SD, in 1998. She often reflected on the 1975 tornado that devastated both the town of Magnet and their family business, taking great pride in the strength and resilience that led to a full recovery of “the town too tough to die.”

Sandy had a keen wit and a vibrant spirit for life. She enjoyed horseback riding, especially the Devil's Nest trail rides, dancing, cheering on the Cornhuskers and was an active member of the Eastern Star and the Magnet Socialite Club.

She also leaves behind a legacy of faith, hard work and love that touched many throughout her life.

Sandy is survived by her three loving children Gina (Doug) Stave of Deer Creek, MN, Steve (Sue) Dennis of O'Neill and Wade (Kim) Dennis of Montgomery, Texas; two grandchildren Matthew (Tracy) Dennis of O'Neill and Katie (Clayton) Kimbrew of Houston, Texas; and five great-grandchildren.