Aletha Sands

Aletha Marie (Anderson) Sands: And Now, The Real Adventure Begins

Aletha Marie (Anderson) Sands, a woman of unwavering faith, boundless love, and healing hands, passed away peacefully at her home in Lincoln, Nebraska, on February 10th, 2025. She was 65 years old. Surrounded and held by her loving family, Aletha was ushered to her “Greatest Adventure” joining her Heavenly Father after a life devoted to serving Him and others.

Born on August 3rd, 1959, in Hastings, Nebraska, to Conrad and Shirley Anderson, Aletha's life was marked by compassion and a deep connection to her faith. She graduated from Kearney High School in 1977 and pursued her calling at Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing on June 12, 1981. Aletha's career as a nurse was a testament to her caring spirit. Beginning at Clarkson Hospital, she touched countless lives with her skill and empathy. In August of 1998, she moved to Lincoln and continued her dedicated service at Lincoln Surgical Center, where she remained a valued member of the team until her passing. Her colleagues remember her as a dedicated professional and a source of comfort to both patients and staff.

Beyond her professional life, Aletha's faith was the cornerstone of her existence. She and her husband, Don, were active members of the Lincoln Berean Church fellowship, where they cultivated deep and lasting friendships rooted in shared faith. Aletha's passion to help and serve others led to her heart-centered Spiritual Care ministry. She loved everyone well but had a special tenderness for those that felt shame and were hurting. She walked alongside them and freely shared her lived experiences of brokenness, healing, and God’s faithfulness that covered her personal journey. She and Don opened their homes and hearts for many years as a host of both Life Groups and facilitators of Divorce Care programs at Berean Church. Aletha offered a physical, emotional and spiritual sense of community through her generous acts of love and fostered a sense of connection and belonging to so many.

Family was at the heart of Aletha's world. She deeply cherished her relationships with her siblings and adored her nieces and nephews. One of her favorite places was Long Pine, Nebraska, where her parents had a home nestled beside a beautiful stream. There, surrounded by God's creation, she and her family would gather, enjoying each other's company and creating lasting memories.

On October 23, 1999, after some persuading, Aletha agreed to a casual dinner date with Don Sands, who quickly became the love and light of her life. For 25 years, they partnered together, artfully blending their families, and living each day with the intention of building God’s Kingdom through grace and generosity. Aletha's love for her children and grandchildren knew no bounds. Even in her final days, she was dedicated to ensuring that they knew how much she cherished them. While miles may have separated them at times, the closeness of her love was ever-present, a constant source of connection and joy.

Aletha's love for those around her was passionate and complete. She embraced life fully and found profound peace in her faith, knowing she was going home to her Father. May Aletha’s departing words, spoken in her final days, rest upon us all. “God has been so good to me. I have experienced many different seasons in my life and through it all, in the joys and sorrows, I have done my best to live with eternity in mind, with my focus on growing more deeply in my relationship with God.” Because of God’s beautiful love and grace, Aletha’s real adventure has begun.

Aletha was preceded in death by her father, Conrad Lavern Anderson, who passed away in April of 2014. Brother-in-Law, Daniel Moore, and Nephew, Jerrad Carranza.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Donald Sands; her mother, Shirley Anderson; and her siblings, Janelle Jorgensen and husband Brad, Kevin Anderson and wife Sara, and Renee Tucker and husband Tracy. She is also lovingly remembered by her four children: Isaac Wood, Christopher Sands and wife Shilo, Jerod Sands and wife Kristen, and Dessirae Sands-Ellison and husband Jonathan Ellison. Her legacy continues through her eight cherished grandchildren: Arie Sands, Coy Sands, MaKena Sands, Grayson Sands, Jameson Garvey, Eliza Cyrus Sands, Julianna Sands, and Sylvie Sands, and great granddaughter Blanche Elouise Frolich-Sands.

Aletha’s family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to those who have offered countless acts of love over the past several months: friends and family, members of their life group, Aletha’s colleagues at Lincoln Surgical Hospital, and HoriSun Hospice.

Viewing: Friday, February 14th, 2025
Lincoln Berean Church, 6400 S 70th Street, Lincoln, NE
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Celebration of Life: Saturday, February 15th, 2025

Lincoln Berean Church, 6400 S 70th Street, Lincoln, NE
11 a.m., Lunch reception to follow
Live Stream Link for Aletha's Celebration of Life http://www.lincolnberean.org/funerallive

Memorials are suggested to the Lincoln Pregnancy Center (111 Piazza Terrace, Lincoln, NE 68510) and Camp Sonshine (13440 S 25th St, Roca, NE 68430)
https://campsonshine.org/give/
https://pregnancycenterpartners.org/donate/

Psalms 103: “He redeemed my life from the pit and crowned me with love and compassion.”