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Sandra 'Sandy' Van Orman Erb (February 9, 2013) |
Sandra Sue Vander Vorst was born on March 15, 1950, to Clifford and Eileen (Sautter) Vander Vorst in Britton. She was raised in Britton, graduating from Britton High School in 1968. When Sandy was three years old, she was the cheerleading mascot, and she did not miss a step while performing the cheers with the older girls. Sandy and her sisters, Marie and Linda, along with their parents, enjoyed spending time at the lake, where the girls spent countless hours swimming. In high school, she was a cheerleader and was the 1968 Britton Snow Queen. Sandy then attended Northern State College, graduating in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in social work. It is here where she met her first husband, Kenneth Van Orman. She and Kenny were married July 1970. To this union, their two children, Troy and Stephanie, were born. Sandy served as director of patient and family services at Avera St. Luke's Hospital for many years, where she was instrumental in starting the “I Can Cope Classes” for patients and their families suffering from cancer. Sandy married the love of her life, Kim Erb, Dec. 31, 1990, and they made their home in Sioux Falls. Sandy worked as a social worker for Avera McKennan Home Care. She attained her master’s degree in social work in 1993 from the University of Omaha. She did this while working full time, graduating magna cum laude. She and Kim enjoyed traveling, golfing, entertaining friends and cheering on their favorite team, the Denver Broncos. Sandy was employed by the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, after McKennan closed their home care division. In 2011, Sandy’s health began to decline, so she moved to Christiana, Tenn., and lived with her daughter, Stephanie, and her family. She was a devoted mother, seldom missing any of her children’s events. She treasured and loved her three grandchildren so much! They were the light of her life! She loved them “more than all the fishes in the seas and more than all the stars in the sky!” Sandy was a very beautiful woman, both inside and out, and had a contagious personality. She was a genuine friend and confidante. Sandy loved people and gave of her heart so freely! She loved licorice, Coca-Cola, Better Cheddar crackers and trips to Twist Cone, especially their popcorn and cherry Coke. She enjoyed the time she spent with her sister Linda at their home in the Cayman Islands, saying it was the most peaceful place on the earth. She loved trips to San Francisco and loved John Elway and the Denver Broncos Football team. She also enjoyed the time she spent at Women of Faith Conferences with her friends, worshipping her Lord and Savior.
She will be missed by so many, but we take comfort in knowing that she is celebrating her new home in heaven with her father and sister.
You were our angel on Earth and now you are our angel in heaven! God bless you, Sandy Sue!
Sandy is survived by her children: Troy (Beth) Van Orman and son, Nathan of Worthington, Minn.; her daughter, Stephanie (Christopher) Lemmer and their daughters: Mackenzie and Tymora of Christiana, Tenn.; her mother, Eileen Besse of Britton; her sister, Linda (Hugh) O’Gara of Hill City; brother-in-law, Brett Mykelgard of Britton; nephews: Tate (Cristy) Davidson of Britton and Travis (Amanda) Davidson of Lake Madison; niece, Tammy (Keith) Teegardin of Arizona; and an uncle, Harley (Marion) Vander Vorst. She is also survived by her dear friends: Susan Sueltz of Aberdeen and Donna Kegler of Athol, and their families; her former husband and friend, Kim Erb of Denver; and his family. She is also survived by many other treasured friends and relatives.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Marie Mykelgard, in December 2012; her father, Clifford; her stepfather, Ivan Besse; maternal and paternal grandparents; and many aunts and uncles.
Sandy’s request was to be cremated. Her cremains will be partially spread across the ocean either in Hawaii or the Cayman Islands and partially near her sister and father in North Dakota.
