Kathleen (Smith) Sands

Kathleen Sands, 94, of Columbus Junction, passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at Colonial Manor in Columbus Junction. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church with a time of food and fellowship to follow.  Burial will follow the luncheon at the Columbus City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church for new windows in the Fellowship Hall in memory of Kathleen.  The Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Columbus Junction is caring for the family.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com

 Betty Kathleen Smith was born January 18, 1929 in rural Louisa County, Iowa, the daughter of Neal Leroy and Edith Mary (Pretz) Smith.  Her brothers were Rollin, James and Bill Smith and sister, Pauline Pine. 

She attended school at Columbus City Grade School, Ainsworth, Cosgrove and graduated from Columbus as Valedictorian of the class of 1946.  She loved music and played Polonaise at Graduation.

She was united in marriage to James William Sands on June 15, 1946 in the former Methodist Church.  They lived in a large house in Columbus City, then moved to a farm south of Columbus City in 1953.  In 1974 they moved to Columbus Junction, then in 1989 they moved to Valley View Estates in Mission, Texas and lived there for 19 years, returning to Columbus Junction in February 2008, moving to a lovely apartment on Colonial Avenue.  Bill passed away on December 30, 2008.

Kathleen worked with Columbus City Township Farm Bureau Ladies for several years and was Chairman for two years.  She worked in the Fritsch Jewelry Store for 5 years and in sales at Ross Dry Goods for 20 years.  She loved flowers, dishes, music, family dinners, genealogy and sending Christmas and birthday cards and letters to her nieces and nephews (now great) and she loved every one of them.

She was a member of the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church since 1957 and the United Methodist Women and Ruth Circle. In 1985 and 1986 she was president of the UMW and again for several years starting in 2012.  She played piano for the church and at Colonial Manor.

She will be deeply missed by her sister, Pauline Pine of Louisville, KY, brother, Bill (Bonnie) Smith of Tucson, AZ; sisters-in-law, Margaret Smith and Marilyn Smith; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brothers, Rollin and James Smith.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.