Sandra Kaye “Sandy” Gantz, 82, of Reserve, KS, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, May 17, 2024. She was born July 11, 1941 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of William Martin and Dorothy Jean (Walker) Fredricks.
Sandy graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1959 and attended the University of Wyoming.
Alongside her husband, she owned, operated and was the office manager of The Red Barn Shop in Reserve, KS. She was a school bus driver first in Cheyenne, WY and later for Hiawatha and Falls City, NE.
Sandy was a member of Bethel Global Methodist Church and former secretary for Falls City Art Guild both in Falls City, NE. She had many hobbies, including, knitting, painting, training horses and dogs, trail rides, road trips on her Harley, boating and fishing to name a few.
She married David A. Whitaker, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents, William and Dorothy Fredricks; sister, Diane Fredricks and three brothers, Bill Fredricks, Fritz Fredricks and Arnold Fredricks.
On November 6, 1992, she married the love of her life, David E. “Dave” Gantz.
Survivors include her husband, Dave of Reserve, KS; two daughters, Kathy Porter (Sonny) of Kimball, NE and Lynn Whitaker (Steve Woods) of Colorado Springs, CO; two step-daughters, Kimberly Acord of Pensacola, FL and Jennifer Archuleta of Tennessee; three grandchildren, Shelly Acord of Pensacola FL, Zack Porter (Natoria) of Kimball, NE, Stacee Whitaker of Colorado Springs, CO; four great-grandchildren, Braxton and Bailee Porter, Jackson Whitaker and Aleah Acord; brother, Gerry Fredricks (Debbie) of Robinson, KS; sister-in-law, Marilyn Fredricks and two nieces, Nancy Fredricks and Deanna Fulcher of Boise, ID.
Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow at Holton Cemetery. The family requests that you think of Sandy whenever you see a horse, pick up a stray dog or smile at a stranger. Memorials may be given to Bethel Global Methodist Church c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.
