Sandra Dee Custer

Sandra D. Custer passed peacefully from this world surrounded by the love of her family early Thursday morning, May 21, 2026, in her home, and entered the Kingdom of Heaven.

Family visitation will be 4-6:00 PM, Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. There will be a private burial of her cremains at a later date at the Cottonwood Cemetery. A Celebration of her life will be 10:00 AM, Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. Memorials may be designated to the Hospice of Washington County.

Sandra Dee Blodgett was born in Washington County Hospital on December 24, 1952, the third daughter of Wilma E. Bodkins and Max D. Blodgett. As fate would have it, Christmas would be on hold for her two older sisters until Sandy arrived, and they never let her forget it. Sandy was truly a Christmas gift. Sandra and her six living siblings grew up in the Coppock area of Washington County, Iowa where they made a childhood full of happy memories. Sandy graduated from Washington High School on June 1st of 1971, married her best friend David Custer on June 5, 1971, and remained his steady date for 50 years. They made their home in Wayland, Iowa where they raised their three daughters.

Sandy worked as a car hop at the A&W, a Kitchen Helper at the Washington County Hospital and in the factory at McCleery Cummings before she became a stay-at-home mom and provided daycare until Katie started Kindergarten. Perhaps that’s when Sandy’s real purpose was revealed – she became a cook and then housekeeper at the Parkview Home in Wayland. Sandy was a loyal and dedicated employee who worked diligently with all her might, as to the Lord. She was kind to colleagues and loving to all the residents of the home. She greeted each one, treated everyone with dignity and courtesy, and grieved over all those she held dear.

Sandy was a member of the Wayland OES Number 494, and served many roles including past Worthy Matron, and she was a member of the Cottonwood United Methodist Church, and a former member of the Washington First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, where they took their girls every Sunday and Sandy helped with Vacation Bible School and the Nursery. She also enjoyed bowling, roller skating, watching a good movie, and playing outdoor games with her family. Sandy loved parades, especially seeing all her friends driving by on their tractors. She lived for Wayland's July 4th Parade especially. She loved working in her flower beds, especially with Katie and helping Jamie keep her gardens pretty as well. Sandy loved riding around with Dave. Together, they traveled many miles to “check the river", people watching, and enjoying the scenic beauty of nature. Later in life, she loved crosswords, word searches, and watching reels on social media. Sandy was a lifelong Cubbies fan and enjoyed a special trip to Wrigley Field along with so many nights spent watching games on TV or listening on the radio.

But of all the things that Sandy loved, it was her family that filled her heart and cup. You could hear her doing the Indian Call at slow pitch softball games or cheering for the girls at their events. In later years, Sandy and Dave made many long car rides to Eagle Rock concerts, Basketball games, Baseball games, Track & Field Events, and Swim Meets. Sandy treasured quiet time with her grandchildren as well, hosting many overnights that turned into over weekends, visits to extended family members, bike rides, walks, trips to the park and McDonalds, and road trips to Adventureland, where she mostly stood around taking pictures, smiling big, and waiting for the chance to get on the Tilt-A-Whirl with Dave. Sandy was proud of each grandchild and often told them how precious they were and how they made her heart happy.

Friends and Family will remember Sandy as a cheerful person who always had something to be thankful for. Those left to carry her light and memory are daughters Amy (Chris) Richardson, Jamie (John) Moeller, and Katie Custer. Grandchildren Jacob Moeller, Justin (Kendall Dascher) Moeller, Jackson (Madysen Leonard) Phillips, Max Phillips, Luke Moeller, Emily Moeller, Caroline Richardson, and Darrin Richardson. Sandy was happy to learn that she would be a great grandmother (Gramma Great) to Jackson & Madysen’s baby coming in the fall.

Sandy is also survived by 3 sisters, Sharry Miller, Norma Paisley, and Karen (Roger) Slemmons, 2 brothers, Roger (Carol) Blodgett and Richard (Tammy) Blodgett, and many beloved extended family members and special friends.

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, David, parents, Max & Wilma, siblings Ronnie Max & Kathy Wintermeyer and many friends and extended family members. Sandy would want everyone to remember that “This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) and that there is always, always, always something to be thankful for.