Patricia Sands

Patricia Ann Sands, 77, of South Sioux City, died Thursday, March 24, 2016, at a Sioux City hospital after a long illness, surrounded by her family.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Lutheran Church in South Sioux City, with the Rev. Kelley Pedersen officiating. A luncheon will follow services at the church. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at Anthon, Iowa. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home in Sioux City.
Patricia was born May 28, 1938, in Smithland, Iowa, to William and Erna Green. She attended school at Climbing Hill, Iowa.
Patricia married Gerald "Jerry" Sands Sr. on March 4, 1956. They were married 56 years, until Jerry's passing June 14, 2013. They farmed in Bronson, Iowa, and Anthon, before moving to their farm near Waterbury, Neb., in 1959. In 1967 they moved to South Sioux City. For the last three years, Patricia was a resident at Regency Square in South Sioux City.
She worked at Wincharger/Zenith in Sioux City, until it closed in 1978. After Zenith, she worked at Iowa Pork in Sioux City.
Patricia and Jerry joined First Lutheran Church in South Sioux City in 1967. Patricia was a loving mother. She enjoyed farming, spending time with her family, and socializing. Her family and friends will remember Patricia as a hardworking, organized person who loved farming. She liked to organize the Local 222 Union retiree meetings and family reunions.
Survivors include her children, Gerald (Barb) Sands Jr. of Martinsburg, Neb., Thomas (Vickie) Sands of Allen, Neb., and Debbie (Sands) (David) Burrack of Macungie, Pa.; grandchildren, Jim (Kristine) Maxey, Kimberly (Ed) Moore, Ann (Curt) Hofman, Jason (Tori) Sands, Misty (Mark) Isom, Ashley Sands (fiancé Mike Meyers), Brandon (Keri) Sands, Donovan (Shelly) Burrack, and Dustin Burrack; 15 great-grandchildren, Laura Maxey, Morgan Maxey, Cheyenne Maxey, Darrell Maxey, Skylar Maxey, Amber Benstead, Breanne Benstead, Steven Cooks, Abigail Moore, Zachary Moore, Kristen Sands, Madison Sands, Jayden Sands, Erna Marie and Dominik Burrack; a great-great-grandchild, Scarlett Maxey; two brothers, Roger (Sherrie) Green of Spencer, Iowa, and Allen (Randi) Green of Hutchinson, Kan.; and a sister, Janet (Willie) Meyers of Novato, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerald Sands Sr.; her parents; parents-in-law, Rudy and Maxine Sands; nephew, Jimmy Mitchel; and numerous aunts and uncles.
The family thanks everyone for thoughts and prayers during this trying time.