Sandy Sue Siskaninetz DeMann

There are some people who come into our lives and we are never the same. And for those who knew and loved Sandy DeMann, it was simply her caring and kind nature along with her enthusiastic spirit that made her so well loved and admired. Sandy had a bubbly personality that naturally drew others to her side. Once someone became her friend, Sandy considered them a forever friend. Through ways all her own, she touched the hearts and lives of many, including her family whom she loved without end.

Sandy’s story began while life in America was booming with industry and manufacturing. The American dream was realized as families moved into the suburbs, and the all new ‘59 Chevy Station Wagon was all the rage. Technology was at an all time high when NASA introduced America’s first astronauts to the world, and the computer modem began its infancy. Even as tensions began to grow overseas with talk of impending war, the only thing Paul and Betty (Zwalua) Siskaninetz, a young couple from Paw Paw, Michigan had on their minds, was the birth of their precious little girl, Sandy Sue, born on August 31, 1959.

Sandy’s father worked as a machinist at Hydreco in Galesburg, and her mother was a telephone operator for Michigan Bell Telephone. Raised in Portage where the Siskaninetz family made their home, Sandy later welcomed her younger sister, Sherri, and their little dog Missy was never far from their side. Fond times were shared and enjoyed every summer for two weeks when Sandy and her family vacationed all over the U.S. and Canada camping and she continued to love camping throughout her life.

Having attended the area schools, Sandy was always an outgoing and fun-loving girl who easily made friends. In high school she was a member of the Portage Central Mustangs band and played the flute. She also served as a flag girl. Being a member of her high school band afforded Sandy many opportunities. She traveled to Washington, D.C. and she also had an unforgettable time at Disney with her band mates. Along with her studies, band, and social life as a teenager, Sandy also found time to land her first job while in high school working at the Sugar Shack in Portage. She also began working at Ganto’s Dress Shop before graduating from Portage Central High School in 1977.

It was when Sandy agreed to be set-up on a blind date through some friends when she met her one true love, Ken DeMann. They went to a movie and then out to Pizza Hut afterwards, and discussed the “chick flick” they had just seen at the theater. Sandy loved the movie, but Ken really hated it! Despite his dislike for the movie, Ken found in Sandy certain qualities he came to really love. After dating for three years and following Ken’s college graduation, the couple was happily married on April 25, 1981 beginning their new lives together as husband and wife.

The newlyweds lived in Otsego after the wedding in a rented apartment where they soon began a family of their own. Their son, Jeff came along, followed by their daughter, Nikki. Sandy loved her family more than anything and loved being a mom. They later moved to the Martin area, and when the kids were young they enjoyed camping. With Sandy’s love of animals, there was always a pet dog or cat, or several around who were considered a part of the family.

For a time Sandy worked at a bank in Allegan and in the office for the Allegan County Fair. When Sandy decided to open a home daycare, it was right up her alley. She loved being home and caring for her own children, and the little ones in her daycare brought her added joy. Sandy loved them as her own and her nurturing nature and unconditional love for them made an undeniable impact on their early lives. Sandy took them into her heart, and she even attended many of their sporting events as they grew older. For 29 years parents entrusted Sandy with the care of their children for which they were grateful. In fact, many of the kids she watched came back as adults to see her.

It seemed Sandy was always in the kitchen cooking or baking something scrumptious for her family. When she “occasionally” burnt something, Sandy would quip, “the oven is 50 degrees hotter than it said!” There were many things in life that Sandy enjoyed and loved including traveling, dancing, and listening to music, particularly the oldies. She especially enjoyed crafting, and she loved collecting antiques; some of her favorite places to shop included flea markets. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. She started listening to Christmas music right after Halloween. She would put up multiple trees around the house. Sandy truly loved the special times she and her granddaughters spent together, shopping with Molleigh, watching Netflix with Zoey, and how Darby kept her busy. Sandy lived for her grandkids and she savored every moment spent with them.

Sandy certainly had the gift for gab. She loved to talk, and in her usual, excitable and bubbly way, it was refreshing to share her uplifting company. People loved Sandy the moment they met her, but then again, there were so many things to love about her. Although she will be deeply missed, Sandy will be long remembered in the hearts of all.

Sandy Sue Siskaninetz DeMann, age 56 of Martin passed away unexpectedly on February 14, 2016. Visit with her family and friends and view her life story film on Thursday, February 18 from 3-7 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 Woodhams St. (685-5881). A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 19, 11:00 AM at East Martin Christian Reformed Church; 510 118th Ave., Martin Township, MI 49070. Sandy’s family includes her husband of 34 years, Ken; her children: Jeff (Trisha) DeMann, Nikki DeMann; three grandchildren: Zoey, Molleigh, Darby; her parents, Paul and Betty Siskaninetz; her sister, Sherri Kik; her in-laws: Vern and Tressa (Morren) DeMann; as well as several nieces and nephews. Please visit Sandy’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory or photo and sign her memory book online. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.