Sandra Kay (Drake) LeRoy, passed away on October 27, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was born January 9, 1940 in Lincoln to Arthur & Gwineth (TenBroeck) Drake. Her parents were from Western, Nebraska and the family lived in various communities in southeastern Nebraska until they settled in Elmwood, Nebraska in the late 1940s. Sandra graduated from Elmwood High School in 1957 with her sister Betty. She was married to Walter Doyle LeRoy on June 3, 1961. She raised her family in Elmwood and in recent years had lived in Lincoln.

Sandra was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt to a large family. Her love for her family and taking care of them began as she was growing up when she and her sister Betty were designated as "second Moms" to their twin baby brothers. It continued as she raised her own son and daughter. It didn't stop there since she went on to raise her two grandsons during their teenage years to be the strong young men they are today.

Sandra's favorite holiday was Christmas…she loved Christmas. Decorating her house and celebrating with her children at home as well as the Drake Christmas on Christmas night was not enough for Sandra. For years, she welcomed her family and friends to her home in Elmwood on Christmas Eve for soup, sandwiches, and desserts. Most of us would go to church services first or afterwards and we looked forward to spending the rest of the evening at her home.

If Sandra had a hobby, it was she loved to bake for her children and grandchildren. Her specialties were Devil Dogs, banana bread and her patented yumburgers. She was also very competitive in her marble game!

Sandra not only grew up in Elmwood, but the community remembers her fondly for the 20 years she operated Leroy's IGA. Comments from her friends in the community included remembering that she weighed their babies on her scale, she was "always such a nice lady! She was a friendly face at the grocery store," "She always had a bright and cheerful greeting for everyone." She had a "decorated mail box in her store every year for the letters to Santa to be mailed..to the North Pole." She also "collected coats every fall and winter for children that might need them. She had a big, big heart!" The family remembers her as a multitasking grandmother who put her grandchildren in a box on a shelf in the store to sleep near her when they were babies!

Sandra is survived by her son Randy and his wife Carol, daughter Shari Keefe, beloved grandsons/spouses Dustin (Katie) King and Travis (Jordan) Keefe, granddaughter Tiffany King, and great-grandsons Andrew and Alex King; siblings/spouses: Vicki Callaway, Vona Ulm, Terry (Merry) Drake, Kirby (Cindy) Drake, Kevin Drake, Kirk (Denise) Drake, and Bob Bruns; sister-in-law's Bonnie Drake and Miki Bruns and dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceded by her parents, brothers Keith Drake, Dennis Drake and John Bruns, sisters Sheroll Oehlerking, Gwen Schalk, Betty Mattice, Sharmon Stock; brothers-in-law Eldon Oehlerking, Johann Schalk, Gary Callaway, Carl Ulm, and Wayne Stock; sister-in-law Esther Drake.

Memorials services will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at the St. Paul United Methodist Church in Elmwood, Nebraska. No viewing.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Elmwood, NE

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com