DeBoom, Sandra Sieperda

Sandra Sieperda DeBoom of Cedar Rapids passed away July 3, 2013, from cancer. A memorial gathering will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 13, at The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Arrangements by Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.

Sandi was born Dec. 5, 1942, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Anthony and Margaret Sieperda. In 1965, she married Kenneth DeBoom, with whom she had four sons, Todd, Tony, Tim and Tom.

She is survived by her four sons and their wives, Dena, Elize, Nicole and Beth; her two grandsons and six granddaughters, Summer, Finnegan, Frances, Eli, Poet, Rowan, Juniper and Wilder; her brothers, David (Bev) Sieperda and Dean (Annie) Sieperda; her mother-in-law, Nellie (DeBoom) Davisson; sisters-in-law, Bev Miller and Dee (Steve) Ness; and her many nieces and nephews.

Sandi graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in education in 1965, and later in life received from the same university a master's degree in special education and an education specialist degree. She taught special education at Kennedy and Washington high schools for over 20 years. She loved teaching and cared deeply for her students. Her classroom was always a point of congregation before, during and after school for an eclectic group of students who enjoyed her attention and the relaxed environment.

Notwithstanding all of her other talents and accomplishments, Sandi will be remembered first and foremost as a wonderful mother and grandmother. She devoted her life to her sons, to whom she was a mom, friend and confidant. Sandi displayed remarkable qualities of patience, perseverance, humor and boundless energy in raising her sons and made too many personal sacrifices to count. She took into her home without hesitation several of her sons friends who needed a place to live and naturally served as a second mom to many. When she finally had grandchildren, she retired from teaching to focus on them, proved an exceptional grandmother and took newfound joy in buying girls' clothing.

Sandi's family is thankful for the wonderful care and support received from the staff of Home Instead, Dr. Ghosh and his staff, the Hall Perrine Cancer Center and Hospice of Mercy through Mercy Medical Center.

Memorials may be given to establish a college scholarship fund for special education students at Washington High School.

Please sign the online guest book for Sandra at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published July 7, 2013 in The Gazette