Sandra Ward

Sandra Ward, age 53, of Milbank died Monday, May 11, 2015 at the Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, at Calvary Assembly of God Church in Milbank, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Rev. John Hostettler will officiate. Casket bearers will be Jack Hoeke, Calvin Moser, Ed Proctor, Chad DeVries, Chris DeVries, and Isaac DeVries. Honorary bearers are the employees of St. William’s Care Center. Burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery.

Sandra Kay Ward was born in Graceville, Minnesota on June 12, 1961, to Virgil and Joanne (Dalberg) Kaufman. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith. Sandy attended schools in Milbank and Sisseton, South Dakota, and graduated from Granite Falls High School in Granite Falls, Minnesota. Sandy attended college in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Throughout her lifetime, she was employed as a waitress, receptionist, day care assistant, teachers’ assistant, and housekeeper at St. William’s Care Center.

Sandy enjoyed spending time with her children, granddaughter, her family, and many friends. A happy person, she always had a smile on her face. She loved animals, especially her kitten, Mittens, and her cockatiel, Lurch. Hobbies included reading, crocheting, cooking, watching movies, going to rummage sales, and growing flowers, her favorite flower being a purple spider mum. Sandy’s favorite color was purple.

Sandy passed away on May 11, 2015, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera, having reached the age of 53. She will be deeply missed.

Sandra is survived by her sons: Michael McCoy of Montevideo, MN; and Matthew Ward of Springfield, SD; father Virgil Kaufman of Milbank, SD; sisters: Tammy Abraham of Gaylord, MN; and Jennifer Roth of Little Falls, MN; brother Vernon Kaufman of Brandon, MN; granddaughter Paisley of Milbank, SD; aunts: Beverly Vig of Veblen, SD; Ardis Bybee of Watertown, SD; Lorraine Fletcher of Clinton, MN; Gail Kelly of Sisseton, SD; Mavis Osterman of Sisseton, SD; and Connie Anderson of Lidgerwood, ND; uncles Harold Dahlberg of Claire City, SD; Norman Dahlberg of Claire City, SD; Donald (Jenny) Kaufman of Bloomington, MN; and Milton (Donna) Kaufman of Wilmot, SD; very special friend Miles DeVries of Milbank, SD; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends and co-workers.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Joanne Roth; and uncle, Armin Kaufman; and aunt, Elaine Griggs.