O’NEILL — Memorial services for Sandra Dennis, 88, O’Neill, will be 11 a.m., June 5, at United Methodist Church, Wausa. Rev. John Nelson will officiate, with a luncheon to follow at the Magnet Hall, Magnet.

Burial will be at a later date in Magnet Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Wausa is in charge of arrangements.

Sandra died Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Parkside Manor, Stuart.

Sandra A. Dennis was born Jan. 20, 1937, on a farm north of Randolph, to Mathew and Alice (Hansen) Lackas. In the second grade, her family moved to a farm near Belden, where she later graduated from high school in 1954. She went on to attend Wayne State College, earning a degree in elementary education while also playing on the college volleyball team.

Sandy began her career teaching second grade in Hastings, Iowa. During this time, she met the love of her life, Jesse Dennis. They were married June 28, 1958, and made their home in Magnet, where they built a life together and ran the Magnet grain elevator side-by-side for more than 40 years.

Faith and community were central to Sandy’s life. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church, where she faithfully taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years. Together, Sandy and Jesse raised three children, Gina, Steve and Wade.

After decades of serving the farming community, Sandy and Jesse retired and moved to Yankton, S.D., in 1998. She often reflected on the 1975 tornado that devastated both the town of Magnet and their family business, taking great pride in the strength and resilience that led to a full recovery of “the town too tough to die.”

Sandy had a keen wit and a vibrant spirit for life. She enjoyed horseback riding, especially the Devil’s Nest trail rides, dancing, cheering on the Cornhuskers, and was an active member of the Eastern Star and the Magnet Socialite Club.

She is survived by her loving children, Gina (Doug) Stave, Deer Creek, Minn.; Steve (Sue) Dennis, O’Neill; and Wade (Kim) Dennis, Montgomery, Texas; two grandchildren, Matthew (Tracy) Dennis, O’Neill, and Katie (Clayton) Kimbrew, Houston, Texas; and five great-grandchildren.

She also leaves behind a legacy of faith, hard work, and love that touched many throughout her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Theresa Korth, 55358 871st Road, Randolph, NE 68771, proceeds will be used for upkeep of the Magnet Cemetery.