Sandra JoAnn Ayers, age 87, of Washington, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington.
A funeral service will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2025, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. The family will be present to receive friends from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Sharon Hill Cemetery at a later date. A general memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent for Sandra's family at
www.jonesfh.com
.
Sandra was born on December 25, 1937, in rural Washington County, the daughter of Dale and Darlene (Wheaton) Leoffler. She attended the country school near Brighton, Iowa. Sandy married LeRoy Tinnes in 1956, and the two divorced. She later married Robert Ayers, who passed away in 2003.
Sandra lived in several communities throughout her life, including Brighton, Keota, and North English, before making Washington her home in 2003. Over the years, she worked at McNerlin Poultry, the liquor store in Washington, and in the Department of Motor Vehicles at the county courthouse. Later, she became manager of the North English thrift store.
Sandra enjoyed doing yardwork, housework, and reupholstering furniture. She loved wintering in Texas and traveling on many cruises. She was also a member of the Good Neighbors Fellowship in Keota, Iowa.
She is survived by her son, Dale (Gail) Tinnes of Wellman, Iowa; daughter, Sandy Tinnes of Keota, Iowa; daughter, Marcy (Rick) Hagans of Washington, Iowa; son, Larry Tinnes of Keota, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Kim Tinnes of Ollie, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; sister, Cara Cameron; brother, Alvin Wheaton; and special friend Jerry King.
Sandra was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; son, Steve Tinnes in 2021; grandson, Zachary Tinnes; granddaughter, Amanda Tinnes; great-granddaughter, Leighton Horning; and son-in-law, Phil Zielstorf.