Sandra Lee Jacobs' Obituary
Sandra Lee Jacobs passed into the loving arms and the forever life with Jesus on May 17, 2025. Sandra was born June 14, 1947, in Clinton, Iowa to Robert Eugene Jacobs and Marcella Proulx, the oldest of seven children. Those that love her know that she will proceed ahead of us and prepare things, as was her way. All who knew her, knew she was a force to be reckoned with, but her strongest force was her unconditional love for her siblings and family and her family of the Order of St Francis Sisters in Clinton. As the oldest sibling, she took it upon herself to always look out for the others, and try to find harmony and peace, even in her last days. Her lovely soul and heart will be remembered fondly. Sandy has earned her rest and those that shared in her life know the Gates were open wide to welcome her.
Sandy attended grade school at St Boniface and Sacred Heart in Clinton, Iowa, and spent her high school years at Mt. St. Clare Academy, graduating in 1965. In Sept 1965 Sandra entered the congregation of the Sisters of Saint Francis at Mount Saint Clare Convent. She later left religious life as a sister but became an Associate on May 16, 1991, and always considered the Sisters of St Francis her family.
Sandy graduated from Mt St Clare College in 1968 and received her AA diploma and in 1969 received her nursing degree from Southeast Iowa Area Community College.
She then worked in Burlington Hospital for several years before returning to her hometown of Clinton. She worked in different nursing homes and practiced as a nurse for 41 years.
Sandy also gave back to her community as a volunteer whenever and wherever the need came to her attention. She volunteered her time through the Information, Referral and Assistance Program in Clinton, helping those in need of finding services to benefit their lives.
Sandy always felt called to become involved with helping those less fortunate, including senior citizens and any marginalized communities. In October of 2017, Sandy received a Certificate of Commendation from the State of Iowa, The President’s Award – Disabled Clintonian of the Year. She was recognized for outstanding service to the State of Iowa Commission of Persons with Disabilities and Department of Human Rights.
Sandra loved to travel and was able to travel abroad several times in her younger years and enjoyed reminiscing about these adventures. Later in life, she selflessly cared for her mother until her mother’s passing.
In her last days of suffering, she was cherished and tended and comforted by her close family at her side and the wonderful staff at the University of Iowa Palliative Care Unit. After years of helping others, she continued in death to give back as a donor for medical research.
Left to cherish her memory are her beloved Sisters of St Francis family, her best friend Ruthann Notz, and siblings, Candance Evans, Iowa City, IA; Ed Stremlow (Brenda), of Clinton, IA; Jeff Stremlow of Sparks, NV; her godson Shawn Harmsen, (Jody) Iowa City, IA; goddaughter Judy Perkins, (Johnnie), Davenport, IA and several beloved nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews and cousins. Additional survivors include siblings Debra Hasse (Lee) of Florida and Donna Worf (Jeff) of Illinois. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Curt Bundy.
A visitation for Sandra will be held Friday, May 30th, at The Canticle in Clinton, Iowa at 9:30 AM with a Mass following at 10:30 in The Canticle Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, Sandy requested that all memorial donations be made to the Sisters of St Francis, 843 13th Ave. No., Clinton, Iowa.
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