A memorial service for Sandra Leigh Reighard, 61, of Estherville, will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Home in Estherville. Visitation will be held from noon-2 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home chapel.
Sandra Leigh Reighard born July 12th 1964, passed away from a sudden unexpected illness, Friday June 5th, 2026 at age 61.
Sandi was born in Plano, Texas to John and Wanda Jo (Dudley) Patterson. Though born in Texas, she lived for the majority of her years in Iowa. Starting at age 11, she lived in Mason City attending public schools. After her mother’s passing, she and her father moved to Corydon, Iowa where she finished her junior and senior year of high school, graduating in 1983.
Having developed lifelong friendships, Sandi moved back to Mason City and she met and married her lifelong love, Steve Reighard Sr (in Clear Lake). They were married in 1986. Together they raised Steph and Steve Jr, moving to Estherville, Iowa by the late 80’s.
Sandi loved to cook and bake, especially birthday cakes for family members. In her early working years, she was known as the Biscuit Lady at the Hardee’s in Estherville. Then her giant heart led her to pursue her Nursing career, eventually obtaining her master’s degree in Midwifery.
Tragically, Sandi lost her husband during the COVID Pandemic, January 2021. Sandi took her highly sought after nursing skills and bravely set out as a traveling nurse to serve our nation in need. It was Sandi with her two little companion dogs, in a large truck, hauling one of the largest campers, traveling wherever she was called to go. Sandi made a lasting impact on many patients and families with the care and kindness she showed while caring for them.
Sandi loved Jesus, where she held membership, she shared her gift of music, she sang, played drums and though you may not have known, she was an accomplished saxophone player as well. In her later years she finally accomplished her dream of owning a motorcycle and she joined the Christian Motorcycle Association. Being outdoors, with the wind surrounded by God’s creations, Sandi enjoyed this immensely!
More than anything on earth, Sandi loved her family! If you knew her, you were hearing her talking about her children and grandchildren and what sporting event she had attended. She loved sharing how proud she was of each of them. The closest friends consistently received her latest family photos.
She had found love again, with Steve Smith. They had purchased their retirement home in Salome, Arizona. The love they knew was based on the foundation of a long ago friendship, he having been her husband Steve’s childhood friend.
It is way too soon to lose Sandi’s physical presence. Now we gain another angel in heaven to watch over us. Our arms opened wide, we hold our grief in one hand and our gratitude in the other.
Sandi is survived by her son Steve (Kari) Reighard, Jr of Estherville; her grandchildren Kyah, Ally, Khloe, Abby, Liam, and Nora; and her brother John (Denise) Patterson.
Sandi was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Officer Steve Reighard, her daughter Stephanie Hanson, and her brother Frank Patterson.
