Sandra Ackerman, 1956-2021
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Oct 28, 2021 | 9:27 AM / 320 views
Mass of Christian Burial for Sandra Ackerman, 65, of Mound City will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 30, 2021, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Herreid. Burial will be at the Mound City Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be at 6 PM Friday with a prayer service at 7 PM at the church. Sandra passed away Saturday, October 23, 2021, at the Avera Eureka Health Care Center.
Sandra Kay Schnider was born on September 21, 1956 to James and Joann (Weiland) Schnider in Sioux Falls, SD. She attended Christ the King Elementary School. Tap dancing and becoming “Miss Neighborhood” were exciting times in her childhood. Although Sandi was an only child she had many cousins she thought the world of and had many fond memories of their times together. Proud to be an O’Gorman Knight, Sandi graduated in 1974. She attended college at Dakota State from 1974-1976 and Northern University from 1979-1980. In her college years she met many lifelong friends who turned into her “sisters”. Her love for children led her to a job at Dakota House in Aberdeen.
In 1985, she met the love of her life, Rodney, in Mound City, SD. After many trips between Aberdeen and Mound City, they tied the knot on October 11, 1986 and started their life together on the Ackerman Family Ranch. June 24, 1988 Jami Jo joined the family. Three years later, on August, 29, 1991, Brooke Marie made them a family of four.
Sandi started her career at the Campbell County Bank/Insurance as an insurance agent in 1989, where she continued to work for 25 years. Sandi was very active in the community and belonged to many different groups including Modern Woodman, Town ’n Country Gals, and Herreid Community Foundation. Her love for God was unending as she taught Children’s Church, Catechism, and was a very active member of the Altar Society at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
She fulfilled one of her biggest dreams in 2004 when she became the co-owner/operator of Dakota Dreams, coffee shop and gift shop, in Herried from 2004-2008. There she shared her craftiness, vibrant personality and contagious smile.
Sandi’s family and friends always came first in her life. She would do anything for anyone. She was so proud of her two beautiful daughters and gave them the world. Along with mom, grandma became her favorite title. She adored Kayson, Lennox, and Collins and looked forward to the arrival of grandchild number four in February. Sandi truly believed that every child, grandchild, and numerous friends were her family she chose for herself. No party was planned without Sandi putting her sense of humor and quick wit into writing skits, decorating and handling every detail.
Unfortunately in 2018 Sandi was diagnosed with a terminal condition which resulted in admission to Herreid Good Samaritan Center in 2018 and moved to Avera Eureka Health Care Center in 2019. Sandi never complained and handled her diagnosis with grace. Sandi passed away peacefully on October 23, 2021 surrounded by her husband and two daughters.
Sandra is survived by her husband, Rodney of Mound City, SD, two daughters and son-in-laws Jami and Cody Allen, Mound City, SD and Brooke and Tanner Sjomeling, Herreid, SD, four grandchildren, Kayson and Lennox Allen and Collins and baby Sjomeling, Her mother Joann Schnider, Eureka, SD, Mother and Father-in-law, Eva and Melvin Ackerman, Mound City, SD, Sister and Brother-in-law, Valerie and Eldon Leapaldt, Bismarck, ND and one nephew, Tate Leapaldt, Lincoln, ND.
Preceding Sandi in death is her father James Schnider, her grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Sandi was the life of the party and impacted everyone she came in contact with. She will be missed dearly.