Sandra M. Graffunder

Rockwell City Sandra M. Graffunder 71, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Fonda Specialty Care in Fonda. Her wishes were to be cremated. Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the United Methodist Church, Rockwell City, with Pastor Missy Erickson officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Church until service time. The burial of the urn will be at Rosehill Cemetery, Rockwell City. Memorials will be left to the discretion of the family. Palmer & Swank Funeral Home, Rockwell City is serving the family. Sandy is survived by her husband Richard Graffunder of 53 years; son Dennis (Darci) Graffunder of Manson; daughter Jennifer (Larry) Meyer of Ankeny; grandchildren, Kyle (Kim) Graffunder, Keaton (Brandi) Graffunder, Michaela Graffunder, Vanessa (Jordan) Squier, Shelly (Damon) Gentry, Sara (Grant) Groene, and Kimberly (Mitch) Jones; great-grandchildren, Isabella, Rhett, and Otto Graffunder; Easton Jones; Gunnar Groene; and Nolan and Reagan Gentry; brothers, Merle (Laura) Porter Jr., Pete (Sandy) Porter, and Marty (Tom) Lininger; sisters-in-law, Florence Trott, Helen Booth, Dottie Gomez, Betty Farnell, Ruth (Frank) Mitchell, and Donna Buelt; brother-in-law Carl Graffunder; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Lavina (Paterson) Porter; parents-in-law, Harvey and Mildred Graffunder; sisters, Jean Graffunder and Claudette Kelly; and brothers, Rick Johns, Ray Paterson, and Bob Porter. Sandra Marie Porter Graffunder was born October 23, 1951 in Iowa City, Iowa. She attended school in Fort Dodge and graduated from Cedar Valley High School, with the Class of 1972. On February 27, 1970 she was united in marriage to Richard Graffunder in Fort Dodge. The couple lived in Fort Dodge, Somers, and Richards until making their home in Rockwell City in 1980. Sandy worked various jobs early in her life including Globe Union, Friendship Haven, Sunny Knoll Care Centre, and the Calhoun County Reminder. She found her true calling later in life when she volunteered for the Rockwell City Ambulance and became a paramedic. She also worked at the Hamilton County Hospital and Trinity Regional Medical Center until an injury forced her to retire. Sandy continued to be a civil servant and worked as a dispatcher for Sac County until her retirement in 2013. Sandy was a member of the United Methodist Church, past President of UMW, and served as a Sunday School teacher for 20 years. Sandy loved her family and enjoyed making crafts for all she knew. SERVICES Memorial Services 11:00 a.m. Thursday June 15, 2023 United Methodist Church Rockwell City, Iowa OFFICIATING Pastor Missy Erickson VISITATION 10:00 a.m. - Thursday June 15, 2023 United Methodist Church Rockwell City, Iowa MUSIC Organist - Fran Lawson INTERMENT Rosehill Cemetery Rockwell City, Iowa