Sandra Hormel

Ocheyedan, Iowa

Sandra “Sandy” Marie (Balk) Hormel left this earth on November 21st, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital, surrounded by her family and friends. Born February 5th, 1950, in Sioux Falls, SD, where she lived until the age of 6, when the family moved to Brandon, SD. She graduated in 1968 from Brandon Valley High School, and in 1969, the family moved to Red Wing, MN. In 1970, she was married to Donald Hormel, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. They settled in Ocheyedan, IA, where they spent their lives together.

Sandy graduated in 1990 from SW Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration achieving the high honor of cum laude.

Sandy’s quick wit and sense of humor were among her many talents; She enjoyed painting beautiful still life pictures and had fun traveling. Especially to Las Vegas with her family, where they shared exciting times at the blackjack tables. She was a passionate cat lover and always had a couple of them—Heidi, Lilly, Pumpkin, and Kitty, just to name a few. Kindness and thoughtfulness were spread to everyone she knew, as she was always ready to lend a helping hand. 

In the past, Sandy worked at Jim’s Drive In, North of Ocheyedan.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Mathew Balk (1999); father, Max Joseph Balk (2006); mother, Rose Marie “Peg” Balk (2018); and husband, Donald Roger Hormel (2019).

She is survived by her son, Jeremiah; sister, Terry Jean (Timothy) Jacobs of Rochester, MN; brother, James Driscoll Balk of Lakeland, FL; nephew, Beau James Jacobs of Rochester, MN; nephew, Rhett Joseph (Andie) Jacobs of Eau Claire, WI; and two great-nieces, Wren Lynn and Max June Jacobs, also of Eau Claire, WI.

Visitation will be Monday, December 16th, 2024 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home in Ocheyedan.  Sandy will return to South Dakota soil to be laid to rest with her parents in St. Martin’s Catholic Cemetery, Emery, SD. She was deeply loved and will be missed by all. 

Comments can be placed on jurrensfuneralhome.com or cards and letters sent to Terry or Jim at Jurrens Funeral Home 505 9th St., Sibley, Iowa 51249.