Sandra (Sandy) F. Davis, 90, died quietly on August 18, 2022, in Burlington, Iowa, surrounded by her family. Sandra was born January 23, 1932, the first child of Arthur M. Samuelson and Lillian Diemer Samuelson.
Other than a few years while her husband Marvel was working on a large construction project in Oregon, she lived her entire life in and around Burlington.
Sandra met her soul mate, Marvel, through the careful planning of both of their younger sisters. If it wasn’t love at first sight, it was very close. Sandra married Marvel Davis April 20, 1948, at her parent’s home in Burlington. They were looking forward to their 60th wedding anniversary when he passed away unexpectedly in 2006.
As a young wife and mother, Sandra centered her life around raising her four children. An excellent self-taught cook, she always creatively stretched the food budget. She taught herself to can and grow vegetables, as well as to sew; these skills she also taught her children. She loved music, and she always
had a record playing in the house, mostly the big bands of the 1940’s. Her children grew up listening and singing along to those old tunes. Sandra served as President of the Grimes School PTA during the time her children were in attendance. She also enjoyed being her sons’ Cub Scout leader. She especially enjoyed being a member of King’s Daughters and served for a time as the club’s president.
Sandra had a unique zest for life, and her personality and intellect drew people to her. She had the uncanny ability to recognize adults when she met them, even those whom she had not seen since childhood. She worked at Clark’s Drug Store for many years, and once her children were grown, she embarked on a successful real estate career, taking great joy in helping her clients find the perfect home.
With her genuine care for others and her commitment to her family and the community, it is no surprise that she was universally loved and respected. On at least two occasions Sandy gave her entire commission to help a young family get into a home. She loved the business but loved people even more.
Sandra is survived by her two sisters, Sue Waligora (Ed) of Bettendorf, Ia.; Sharon Sherbondy of N.C.; Son Brian (Deb) Davis of Middleton, Wis.; Daughter Kathy (Rick) Little of Burlington; Son Mark (Bobbie) Davis of Melbourne, Fla.; her grandchildren: Travis (Dianne) Little of New London, Ia.; Teresa Good of Burlington, Ia.; Chali Davis of Derry, N.H.; Brian A. (Alicia) Davis, JR. of Aurora, Co.; and Joel Davis; her great-grandchildren Taylor (Kaitlyn) Masotta, Jodie (Tom) Campbell, Jessica Masotta, Alyssa Little, Tyler Little, Baley (Jared) Sunds, Jarret Good, Maxwell Davis, and Vincent Davis.
A celebration of life for Sandra F. Davis will be held
Saturday, September 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lunning Chapel 2620 Mt. Pleasant St. Burlington, Ia.