Sandra Phyllis Beattie Rothnie Aschenbrenner Gaede, 77, of Colby, KS, met her Lord and Savior on April 11, 2024, at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, KS after a well fought battle with cancer. She was born March 9, 1947, in Montrose, Scotland to William and Jessie (Matthew) Rothnie.
Sandra graduated from the Montrose Academy where she excelled in swimming and sewing. As the youngest of 11 children, she had lots of protective siblings, yet she met a sailor - John Leo Aschenbrenner of the U.S. Navy, hometown of Brewster, Kansas. They married in Montrose on October 17, 1969, and had three daughters and one son. John passed on June 20, 1978, and Sandra married James Allan Gaede on December 29, 1979, and had a daughter.
Sandra loved being a mother and a homemaker. She excelled at a variety of crafts including sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting. Her family treasures the matching outfits, quilts, and decorations she’s shared throughout the years. She was a fierce competitor in all things, especially croquet and cards. Sandra was active in volunteer work, serving on the Sacred Heart School Council, CCD teacher, Queen Mary Circle and even a Cub Scout Leader. After her children had grown, Sandra volunteered for Emergency Pregnancy Services.
Sandra was preceded in death by husband, John; her parents, William and Jessie; eight siblings, William, Jess Mitchell, Elizabeth Conroy, Andrew, Robert, Patricia Clark, Alexander and a brother who died at birth; in-laws Steven and Thresia (Weber) Aschenbrenner and Fred and Mable (Jenik) Gaede.
She is survived by her husband, James Gaede, of Colby; her children, Jennifer (Jim) McKinnon, of Topeka, Suzanna (Lloyd) Koel, of Atwood, Sandra Kim Aschenbrenner (Bob Braun) of Lenexa, John (Angi) Aschenbrenner of Leon and Jessica (Chad) Poe of Great Bend; grandchildren, Nicole (Logan) McGinley, Ian McKinnon, Emilee Sack, Jade and Carson Poe, Joseph Dozbaba, Nicholas (Skylar) Koel and Anthony Koel; great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Declan McGinley and Henley and Preston Koel; siblings, Margaret (David) Ewan, John Rothnie and many other family and friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 5-7:00 p.m. with a vigil following at 7:00 p.m. at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. The Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, April 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church Colby, with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Sandra appreciated support during her treatment from the Hope Foundation and was a longtime supporter of Sacred Heart School. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Northwest Kansas Foundation for Hope or Sacred Heart Catholic School which can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com