Sandra Jane Luvaas

Sandra Jane Luvaas, also known as Sandy, was born on September 16th, 1946 in Ida Grove, Iowa, the daughter of Leroy and Dorothy (Schramm) Salmon. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kiron. Sandy graduated from Denison High School with the class of 1964.

On April 4th,1965, Sandy married David Yankey and they were blessed with three children: Michelle, Michael, and Tracy. The couple later divorced. September 10th, 1995, Sandy found love once again when she married Louis Luvaas at the United Methodist Church in Denison.

During her career, Sandy touched the lives of coworkers and patrons alike. As a teenager, she worked in her parents' grocery store and gained valuable experience. Over the years, Sandy held various positions at renowned establishments such as National Foods, Safeway, No Frills, JCPenney, Becky’s Hallmark, Kehl Drug and Walter's Pharmacy. She showed commitment to her customers through her friendly personality, her caring, and helpfulness. First and foremost, she was a devoted and loving mother.  

She took delight in tending flowers, watching birds, and finding solace in the beauty of nature. Family held a special place in Sandy's heart; her love for them knew no bounds. Sandy was a member of the United Methodist Church in Denison where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, belonged to the United Methodist Women, and served as the membership secretary.

Sandy passed away peacefully at the age of 77 years, 4 months, and 11 days on Saturday, January 27th, 2024, at Gracewell – Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison. She was preceded in death by her parents; and 3-month-old daughter, Michelle Yankey.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Louis Luvaas of Denison; son, Michael Yankey and his wife Sherry of Sloan; daughter, Tracy and her husband Gary Arndt of Fair Grove, Missouri; step-daughter, Jill and her husband Grant Thompson of Sioux City; 4 grandchildren: Kortney Yankey, Ian Yankey, Katie Arndt, and Garrett Thompson; 1 great-granddaughter, Bailee Yankey; sister, Susan and her husband Steve Blair of Omaha, Nebraska; other relatives and friends.

Visitation for Sandy will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024 at the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison. Interment will be in Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison. Memorials may be directed to the family.