Ruth Ellen 'Toni' Sande

Ruth Ellen “Toni” Sande, age 83, from Adel, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2016 surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 5th at Grace Lutheran Church in Adel with burial at Oakdale Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Thursday, August 4th at Grace Lutheran Church where family will greet friends from 4-7 p.m. with prayer service at 7 p.m. Ruth was born in Humboldt, Iowa; the daughter of Hans and Katherine Schultz. She graduated from Humboldt High School. Ruth received her degree from Iowa State Teacher’s College and taught elementary education in Hampton, Dallas Center and Adel. While in high school, she met her best friend, Earl. They were married August 15, 1954. They lived in Dallas Center and moved to Adel in 1956, where she was a valuable partner in the operation of the family lumber business. Ruth was the proud mother of three children, David, Susan and Kathleen. Ruth valued time spent with her family and friends (including those in Denmark and Norway). She enjoyed her flowers, traveling, reading, keeping up on current events and attending music/theater performances. She was a life time member of the Lutheran Church and a charter member of Grace Lutheran in Adel where the Tuesday morning bible study was an important part of her life. She was active in her community, Danish Brotherhood, Sons of Norway, P.E.O., the Adel Women’s Club and the local bridge group. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Katherine Schultz. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Earl; children, David (Nanci) Sande, Susan (Steve) Riedemann, Kathleen (Paul) Ford; grandchildren, Christian (Anna) Sande, Benjamin Sande, Garrett (Heather) Riedemann, Hannah Riedemann, Erin (Aaron) Ortbals, Emily (Robert) Auers; great-grandchildren, Tierney, Emerson and Malachi Riedemann, Jameson Ortbals, a great-granddaughter on the way and her sister, Barbara Lansing. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Family came first for this generous, loving and caring woman and she will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be directed to Grace Lutheran Church, Adel. Online condolences may be left on this site.