Alice Darlene (Sandy) Beyer was born October 8, 1925 in Dayton, Iowa to Harry and Frances (Lundberg) Sandholm. Sandy passed away on November 10, 2025, at the Comfort House in Pella, at the age of 100 years. Called Darlene by her family, Sandy grew up with her seven siblings on a farm outside of Dayton.

Shortly after high school graduation and near the end of World War II, Darlene enrolled in the Cadet Nursing Program at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN. Her friends quickly dubbed her "Sandy", and the name stuck. She treasured her time at St. Marys and her subsequent employment at Grinnell Hospital, making many lifelong friends.

While in Grinnell, Sandy met Ben Beyer, a WWII vet and farmer from Lynnville, Iowa at a local dance. On August 4, 1949, they were wed at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

A short time later, Sandy and Ben moved to the family farm near Lynnville where they lived out their married life and raised six children: Bryce, Craig, Dennis, Sharon, Jan and Kathy. Although this officially ended her nursing career, Sandy's skills were put to good use helping her own family, neighbors, and especially her husband in his later fight with Parkinson's disease. In later years, Sandy and Ben enjoyed many bus tours across the United States – visiting every state except Delaware – a trip to Europe, and an Alaskan cruise.

Sandy delighted in her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. They always knew Grandma would be up for a card game or two, and the cookie jar would be full. Somehow, she managed to do this while seamlessly putting three meals and two coffee times on the table every day, all without today's modern conveniences.

A member of the First Reformed Church in Sully, Sandy's faith was always an important part of her life. She particularly enjoyed her involvement with the quilt-making ministry for those in need. A few years after Ben's death, Sandy moved to the Mayflower Community in Grinnell, where she lived independently until her move to the Comfort House. Throughout her time in Grinnell, Sandy made many good friends, and she was known for helping neighbors in need, even as she crossed into her nineties. Sandy was also blessed beyond measure by the kindnesses shown to her by Mayflower staff and residents alike.

Her memory will be cherished by her five children: Bryce Beyer of Sully, Dennis Beyer of Lynnville, Sharon (Dean) Renaud of Sully, Jan (Wes) Conover of Sully, and Kathy Beyer of Hinesburg, Vermont; eight grandchildren: Dan (Trisha) Beyer, Brian Beyer, Stefanie (Marlo) Van Wyk, Tom (Martha) Renaud, Chad (Beth) Conover, Anna (Darin) Arkema, Jenna (Brad) Chamra, and Ben Ross, as well as 19 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Sandy also leaves her siblings: Maxine Burks of Des Moines, Iowa, Irene Draper of Oregon, Wisconsin, Mike Sandholm of Boone, Iowa and Susan (Larry) Ohge of Tucson, Arizona.

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Beyer; son, Craig Beyer; parents, Harry and Frances Sandholm; parents-in-law, John and Trinnie Beyer; sister Doris Eastburg; brother Maurice Sandholm; brother Earl Sandholm, in childhood; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ernie Eastburg, Carol Sandholm, Gordon Burks, Rusty Draper, JoAnn Sandholm, Frank and Leora Beyer, Marie and Herman Bokhoven, Paul and Lucille Beyer, Jeanetta and Henry Olsthoorn,  Chris Beyer, Fred Beyer, Nellie and Leo Vande Krol, Grace Beyer in infancy, and Pauline and Melvin Nikkel.

Bryce Beyer

     Dan and Trisha

     Brian

          Ashley and Devin Bass

               Nash

          Nicole

          Wyatt

The late Craig Beyer

Dennis Beyer

Sharon and Dean Renaud

     Stefanie and Marlo Van Wyk

          Tristan and Layla

          Parker

          Saylor

     Tom and Martha Renaud

          Mary

          Isaac

          Stephen

          Ruth

Jan and Wes Conover

     Chad and Beth Conover

          Brooke

          Will

          Tyler

     Anna and Darin Arkema

          Evan

          Andrew

          Kate

     Jenna and Brad Chamra

          Quinn

          Grace

          Jack

Kathy Beyer

     Ben Ross

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged for the Hospice of Pella.

 Hospice of Pella - Day of Care 
Pella IA