Sandra L. Anderson

Sandra Lynn Anderson, 74, of Machesney Park, passed away July 23, 2024 in her home. Her story began on May 9, 1950, when her parents were blessed with their fifth child, Sandra Lynn Earlywine. As the sister to seven siblings, she loved being part of a big family. In her words, “there was always someone to play with–or someone to pick on!” Born to be wild, she was often sneaking out to get together with friends, and this loyalty to “her people” and good times stayed with her throughout her life. When she was fifteen, working as a carhop at The Rockette in Rockford, Illinois, fate stepped in, and she met Jim Anderson. A year later, the two were married and began their happily ever after.

Two beautiful daughters later, she was enjoying “every part of being a mom”. She bragged about her children any chance she got, and when she became a grandma, there was even more bragging done. Her grandchildren hold cherished memories of trips to the lake in Edgerton, road trips, vacationing in Texas, fishing trips, building boxcars in the basement, baking Christmas cookies, and making Grandma’s famous popcorn balls! She was always up for an adventure, and her grandkids knew just who to call when they were craving one.

A lover of dance, old time rock and roll and country music, she enjoyed many nights out with Jim and their friends and family. Sandi and Jim spent 50 magical years together, during which they fell more and more in love. As their children and grandchildren grew, she and Jim took many vacations with their family and as a couple. They loved history; one of her favorite vacations was touring the East Coast, where they saw more history in real life than they could have imagined. Another notable trip was when Jim had R&R from the Army in Hawai’i, and she got to join him. She called this “their first real honeymoon”, and she would never forget the beautiful blue of the ocean in Hawai’i. She and Jim wintered in Texas, her happy place, during their retirement, and she often referred to herself as a Texan. She loved to sew, read romance novels, garden, gamble (especially loving when she won, and her winnings were followed by generosity), have ladies lunches, and be outside–especially on her patio. Sandi’s life was full of family, friends, laughter, and love.

Upon her arrival in Heaven, she rejoined her best friend and husband, Jim Anderson; father, Elvis Earlywine; mother-in-law, Alice Bolan; brothers, Wayne and John Earlywine; and brothers-in-law, Ray Harris, Bob Arner, Rob Almond, and David Williams. Her legacy lives on through her daughters, Dawn (Ed) DeuVall and Karen (Ian) Gregory; grandchildren, Eddie (Siera) DeuVall, James (Jenna) DeuVall, and Stephanie (Mitch Hallum) Redieske; great-grandchildren, Jessa, EJ, Carter, Oakley, Brantley, Knox, Emmit, and Jasper; mother, Ruth Earlywine; sisters, Linda Campos, Viola Harris, Katie Hodowanic, Susan Arner, and Sherrie Almond; brother-in-law, Terry (Jenny) Williams; sisters-in-law, Cathleen Earlywine, Linda Earlywine, and Cindy Williams; and lifelong friend, Betsy Rodd.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon, IL and ALS United Greater Chicago.

Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory-Mulford Chapel, 4311 North Mulford Road, Loves Park, Illinois 61111 with Pastor Bobby Sheets of Riverside Community Church officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. until time of service.

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