Archived Services

Sandra J. Kadinger
08-14-2020

Sandra J. Kadinger              

August 19, 1953—August 14, 2020

 “I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree…A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray…”

 Sandra Josephine Kadinger was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on August 19, 1953 to William Heck and Helen (Heck) Ankerson. She married her husband, Jerry Kadinger, and in their 50 years of marriage they raised three children, had ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She and her husband lived briefly in Sioux City, in New Orleans, and in Texas, but she lived most of her life in Sioux Falls, SD, where she built her family and career.

 During her life, she devoted her time and talents to many things. From a young age, she began working in long-term care facilities as a nursing assistant, which is how her love of nursing and caring for the elderly began. She worked her way through nursing school in New Orleans, earning her LPN degree; she was so proud when she earned her nursing hat and pin after being an excellent nursing student in New Orleans, LA. She later went on to earn her RN degree from the University of South Dakota. She was a dedicated and brilliant RN who served her elderly patients with love. She also mentored her colleagues in her role as a charge nurse and later Director of Nursing before retiring in 2003. In retirement, she remained an advocate for those with health care needs, and served as an on-call resource for her family. Mom’s health remedies were always the right ones.

 While health care was a major interest, she had other activities that were a constant throughout her life. Her love of music was a big part of who she was; it wasn’t unusual to find her singing along to her favorite oldies and soundtracks at full volume as she went about her day. Dogs were a big part of her life, and she gave much love and many treats to her fur babies. She loved painting ceramics, and was known for making special works of art for her kids and grandkids. She loved a good craft show, and she was a collector of angels and music boxes. Baking with her family, especially with her grandkids and great-grandkids, and especially at Christmas, was something she loved to do and looked forward to. There was no shortage of cookies and treats at Grandma’s house. She loved having holiday dinners and enjoyed seeing her grandkids decorate the tree each Thanksgiving as she skillfully planned her Black Friday shopping itinerary. She loved flowers and trees. She was rooted in her Catholic faith.

 She is survived by: her husband and very best friend, Jerry Kadinger;  their three children: Michelle (Patrick) McIntyre, Lisa (Bill) Crossley, and Jerry (Heather) Kadinger, Jr.; her ten grandchildren: Shannon, Jonathan, Jacob, Jeremy, Jerry, Alex, Molly, Lauren, Sam, and Meara; her four great-grandchildren: Carson, Morrison, Presley, and Joanna; her siblings: Jeannie, Teri, Will, Scott, Lori, Cheri, and Jackie; her fur baby: Bailey; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, William Heck, her mother, Helen Ankerson, sisters, Priscilla Beggs and Nadine Heck, and her step-parents, Arthur Ankerson and Murl Heck.

 A Committal Service will be held Saturday, August 29, 10:30 AM at Woodlawn Cemetery.