Sandra K. Huisman

July 28, 2016

Service Details

Sandra K. Huisman passed away early July 28, 2016 at age 59. After a challenging cancer diagnosis met with a positive desire towards life, her journey ended peacefully at Kavanagh House.

Sandy was born in Park Ridge, Illinois. She attended school in Mount Prospect, Illinois before attending Iowa State University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition. While in attendance at Iowa State, Sandy met her husband, Terry and they married in August of 1979. After marriage, Sandy and Terry resided in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Sandy completed her dietetic internship. In 1980 they permanently relocated to the Des Moines area where Sandy completed her Master’s degree in Education and they began their family with the birth of their children, Daniel and Emily. Sandy worked at Iowa Lutheran Hospital as a dietitian and later at Iowa Methodist Medical Center as the Clinical Nutrition Manager. In 2008, she began her role as Director of Food and Nutrition Management for Des Moines Public Schools. In 2016, she received the School Nutrition Association Director of the Year for the State of Iowa. In her spare time Sandy enjoyed gardening, reading, water aerobics and spending time with her friends and family.

She is survived by her husband Terry Huisman; son Daniel Huisman (Alexandra); daughter Emily Meier (David); mother Janet Heideman; mother-in-law Ruth Huisman; sister Judy Gateiu (Ioan); brother Jim Heideman (Martha); sister Bonnie Heideman; sister-in-law Gail Huisman; and several nieces and nephews. Sandy was preceded in death by her father Raymond Heideman; father-in-law Ralph Huisman; and brother-in-law Bruce Huisman.

Visitation will be Monday, August 1, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Windsor United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Sandy Huisman to John Stoddard Cancer Center, Powell 3, for the benefit of other cancer patients. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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