Sandra "Sandi" Landsness

Sandra “Sandi” Landsness, 78, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Monday, September 12, 2022, at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

Sandra Sue was born on February 28, 1944, in Ute, Iowa, the daughter of Walter H. and Myrtle (Taylor) Schultz.  While growing up she often helped her dad at the Schleswig Exchange (the local telephone company) and was also a lifeguard.  Her ability to swim was known at an early age and something she continued to love her whole life.  Her most memorable moment in high school was when she made a set of free throws to send her 6 on 6 basketball team to the state tournament.  Sandi graduated from Schleswig High School in the Class of 1962.  Following graduation, she attended Drake University and was a member of the Baton Twirling team and the Chi Omega Sorority.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, with qualifications to teach art, in 1966.

On January 28, 1966, a balmy 20-degree below zero day, she married the house boy of her sorority, Roland “Rollie” Landsness at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, Iowa.  Rollie often joked with her that it would take her 10 years in meals to make up for the two meals a day he prepared for her and her sorority sisters.  Rollie served his country in the United States Army beginning in 1968, and thanks to a lengthy application Sandi completed for him to transfer from Infantry to Military Intelligence, the couple were stationed near Atzenhof, Germany.  During this time, they were able to travel to England, France, Italy and she also toured Berlin.  The couple went on many biking adventures; RAGBRAI and a 14-day trip in 1981 through England with Dave and Barb Chase being a few of their favorites.  Okoboji was their home away from home and they purchased a place of their own in 1992.  It was their tradition to host a gathering at Thanksgiving, never complete without the playing of Arlo Guthrie’s song “Alice’s Restaurant”.  In recent years, Sandi and Rollie hosted at their Okoboji home.  One of their pastimes was sailing and windsurfing; taking lessons in the Chesapeake Bay at Annapolis, Maryland with their instructor, Captain Daniel Daniel, (his double name becoming an inside joke through the years!).  His gruff demeanor frightened some students, but he didn’t faze Sandi.  The duo sailed not only on Lake Okoboji, but also took other trips including one on Lake Superior.  They spent countless hours of laboring on their current home and it has resulted in a glorious and peaceful retreat.  Sandi and Rollie didn’t miss a single nook in their remodel even stripping paint off every inch of woodwork on their main level, quite an undertaking!

Sandra taught wherever the couple lived and was the art teacher at Anita Community Schools for many years.  She also taught a course in computer science at Western Iowa Community College.

Her ability and love to swim stuck with her from her youth; she swam countless laps at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA and also completed the Point-to-Point swim at Okoboji multiple times.  She enjoyed cross-stitching, art work and getting together with friends to play Bridge.   Sandi was an avid reader with a broad taste in books; she was a member of the Browning Literary Club.  She was also a 40-year member of the Atlantic Chapter AF, P.E.O.  And who can forget that there is no other color but red!?!  Her sense of humor was relentless; always having a joke or riddle for you! 

Do you know why a bicycle can’t stand up by itself?..........Because it’s two tired.

Sandi is survived by her husband of 56 years, Roland “Rollie” Landsness; nephew, Mark Moxley; and brother-in-law, Steve Staab.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Myrtle Schultz and her sister, Regina Moxley.

A Celebration of Life visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 15, 2022, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to Nishna Valley Trails.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Sandi’s family and her arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.