Sandra L
ee Jacobson Butt was born on September 27, 1947, to Alfred Leonard and Betty Jean (Losee) Jacobson in Eagle Grove, Iowa. Sandi spent a joyful childhood in Eagle Grove surrounded by many extended family members—aunts, uncles, and cousins—with whom she shared a deep bond throughout her life. She also remained close with her high school graduating class of 1965, continuing to attend monthly reunions until just a few months before her passing. After high school, Sandi attended Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, where she earned her Licensed Practical Nurse degree. It was important to her to become a nurse so she could help and care for other people to live out the meaning of her name Sandra, a helper of humanity.
On May 25, 1968, Sandi married Kenneth Frederick Butt at Samuel Lutheran Church built by her father Al in Eagle Grove. The newlyweds moved to Ken’s family farm near Ackley, Iowa. Their first child, Christine, died shortly after birth. Later, three more children—Kevin, Kristin, and Carrie—were born. Ken and Sandi built a happy life on the farm, raising crops, livestock, and children. They were proud of their Century Farm and the family legacy it has continued to represent, and over the decades, they often hosted visitors and exchange students from around the world. Their close-knit Robertson neighborhood enjoyed frequent potluck get-togethers to celebrate special milestones with pies, casseroles, and jello salads. The family attended Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Ackley and later Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls.
Sandi had an abundance of warmth, passion, creativity, and curiosity to share. She never met a stranger. She was active in her community, including serving the Iowa Pork Producers and Porkettes, 4-H, and her churches as a youth sponsor, Sunday school teacher, and council member. Sandi served as a parish nurse and started the Easter Cares program at Bethany Lutheran Church. Being a parish nurse brought her great joy.
Sandi’s award-winning pies were legendary, especially at the Hardin County Fair; they were auctioned at many fundraisers, often reaching the highest bid for local charities and organizations. In her free time, she liked baking, cooking, reading, cross-stitching, and quilting, and she had a special fondness for the Open Exhibits at the county fair. She was a master gardener who was happiest when she was outside in a sunhat tending to her fruits, vegetables, and flowerbeds or zooming around on the lawn mower or golf cart—first at the farmstead and later on at Eagle’s Roost just a couple of miles down the road where the couple built their dream home. She enjoyed feeding and spotting birds outside her window, always ensuring the bird feeders were full—a lesson her Dad had taught her.
She proudly claimed the title of Grammy in 1996 with the birth of her first grandson. Despite hoping for twelve grandchildren, she and Ken were lucky to spoil their seven grandchildren immensely. The grandchildren fondly remember many car rides jamming to ‘60s on 6 music, movie nights with jello popcorn, county fairs, and Grammy Days. Grammy and Poppy were a steady presence in the stands and never missed a game, a concert, a school event, or a life milestone—always showing up with pride and love.
Ken and Sandi loved traveling and enjoyed frequent vacations to Florida and Louisiana, annual fishing trips to Minnesota, Jacobson family potlucks at Crystal Lake, and numerous Losee family reunions across the United States. Most memorably, the family took a spontaneous RV adventure through the Rocky Mountains and Upper Plains in 1978. Sandi also thoroughly enjoyed their European trips to visit family and friends in Slovakia, Germany, and Norway, including one special journey for their son’s wedding in 1997.
Sandi entered heaven’s gates with angel wings on Monday, April 21, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by baby daughter, Christine Ann; her parents, Alfred and Betty Jacobson; her brother and sister-in-law John and Nancy Jacobson; and her in-laws, Roy and Anna (Sailer) Butt. Left to cherish her life are her husband Ken; their children Kevin (Honória Balogh) Butt of Iowa Falls, Iowa; Kristin (Ole) Cleveland of Holland, Iowa; Carrie (Darren) Kube of Ackley, Iowa; their seven grandchildren, Espen Cleveland, Victoria (Zach) Armstrong, Finn Cleveland, Hailey Kube, Olivia Butt, Soren Cleveland, and Wilken Kube; niece and nephew Jennifer and Brad Jacobson; grandnieces Isla and Evelyn Jacobson, grandnephew Asher Jacobson; a lifelong friend Diana Messerly of Webster City; as well as many cousins and extended family members.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls. Visitation was on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls.
The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice of Cedar Falls and Scenic Manor of Iowa Falls for the loving and tenderly care during Sandi’s final weeks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Croix Hospice of Cedar Falls, 6112 Chancellor Drive, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613.
