Sandra Rothmeyer

Thursday, October 15, 2020 6:16 am

Sandra Rothmeyer, age 67, of Festina, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, 2351 County Road B32, Festina, IA, with Rev. Robert Gross presiding. Burial will be in Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m.. until the time of service on Saturday morning at the church. Everyone attending is asked to please wear a mask.

Memorials may be sent in memory of Sandra to her family at: 1177 227th Ave, Ft. Atkinson, IA 52144.

Sandra Barbara (Zweibahmer) Rothmeyer was born Feb. 23, 1953 the daughter of Theodore and Lillie (Svendsen) Zweibahmer in Decorah, IA and was raised on a farm Southwest of Ossian, IA. Sandra “Sandy” attended St. Francis DeSales Catholic School in Ossian until the 10th grade and then finished her high school education at South Winneshiek High School in Calmar, IA, where she graduated in 1971.

Sandy married Larry Rothmeyer November 9, 1974 at St. Francis DeSales Church in Ossian.  To this union 4 children were born: Scott, Patrick, Mary & Mark.  Sandy resided on the Rothmeyer family farm South of Festina where she served in the role of devoted mother and family caretaker.  Sandy’s mother-in-law Rose lived with Sandy and Larry on the family farm until health issues sent her to the hospital and eventually to a local senior care facility. Sandy and her mother-in-law had a special bond that was driven by their shared love of faith, family and Larry’s and Sandy’s four children.

Once the children were old enough, Sandy decided to venture out and work outside of the home, first at Wal-Mart, and then at Rockwell-Collins, both in Decorah. After a layoff forced her out of work at Rockwell, Sandy decided to take a leap of faith and go back to school in her early 50’s. The decision ended up being well worth the wait.  Sandy would successfully complete a nursing degree at Northeast Iowa Community College and attain LPN and RN status. Sandy served as an RN at the Ossian Senior Hospice for many years.  This is where Sandy flourished and found a new connection and life’s purpose. In this role, Sandy’s qualities of kindness, warmth, gentleness and servitude were allowed to shine through and fill every patient interaction.Shortly after Larry’s diagnosis of end stage kidney disease, Sandy made the difficult decision to retire from nursing and to devote her time, energy and attention to his care and comfort. Larry was always so thankful for Sandy’s loving personality, and her unwavering care and attention to his home healthcare needs. Larry would eventually succumb to complications related to his disease, but through it all, Sandy was always there lovingly by his side.

Following Sandy’s illness, numerous cards and messages have been received from others reinforcing what a kind, caring and special person Sandy was in this life. Sandy has left a lasting positive influence on all those around her, most notably her children. Sandy was the best mother a child could ever wish for. Sandy’s children will always be thankful for their great fortune of having been the recipients of her selfless loving care and motherly devotion. She was truly a special person.

Sandy is survived by her children: Scott (Trudie) Rothmeyer, Denver, IA: Patrick Rothmeyer, Festina, IA; Mary (Matt) O’Kones, West Union, IA; and Mark (Lauren) Rothmeyer, Denver, IA.  Grandchildren: Keaton and Kenna Rothmeyer; Jordan, Dillon and Brandon O’Kones; Aaliyah, Avery, Ainsley and Raiden Rothmeyer. Sister: Sally (Milton) Kipp, Mt. Pleasant, IA, Brother: Kenny Zweibahmer, Ft. Atkinson, IA.  Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Jean Zweibahmer, Ossian, IA; Linus Rothmeyer, Decorah, IA; Ruth Huber, Boscobel, WI; Rosetta (Gerald) Schmitt, St. Lucas, IA; Lester (Elizabeth) Rothmeyer, Commerce City, CO along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Larry Rothmeyer. Parents: Theodore and Lillie (Svendsen) Zweibahmer.  Father and mother-in-law: Herbert and Rose (Gerleman) Rothmeyer.  Brother: Karl Zweibahmer. Sister-in-law: Elsie Rothmeyer.