Sandra Peggs

Sandra “Sandy” A. Peggs, 82, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

Sandra Ann was born on April 15, 1941, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Lewis Benjamin and Wilma Elizabeth (Long) Peggs.  She graduated from Belleville, Illinois High School in the Class of 1959.  Following graduation, she enrolled in classes at Barnes Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri, receiving her Registered Nurse degree in 1962.  Sandy’s first job out of school was helping to start a new hospital in St. Louis, in which she later worked on the pediatric floor. 

In 1965, she entered the United States Air Force and was stationed at Sewart Air Force Base in Smyrna, Tennessee, where she worked as a Registered Nurse at the base hospital.  At the time of her honorable discharge in 1967, she accepted a nursing position at the Veteran Hospital in San Diego, California.  Sandy later transferred to the Veteran Hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Her career and service to her country was something she was extremely proud of; sharing that she was forever grateful for the relationships she made and the difference she was able to make in Veteran’s lives.  Sandy’s caring heart for helping others extended into her using her several weeks of vacation each year to being a church camp nurse; known by the fellow campers and later catching on with her family as “Nurse G.”  She was blessed in the years to follow by staying in touch with the kids as they grew into adults; she always especially enjoyed their photo updates of their lives.

After she retired, she moved to Atlantic, Iowa, to care for her mother and also kept busy reading countless books and a past member Master Gardner’s and current member of the Atlantic United Church of Christ.   

Sandy is survived by her brother, Fred Peggs and his wife, Darlene and their children, Steven, John and Michael and their families; Marsha Borders and her family which includes Jamie (William) Hobbs and Jeffrey Borders; and many extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Wilma Peggs.

A time to greet the family will begin at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 25, 2024, at the United Church of Christ in Atlantic followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial service at 10:30 a.m.  During the service a special tribute will be given by the Mercy Nursing Honor Guard.  Following a luncheon in the church fellowship hall, burial with military honors by the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard and the Atlantic Color Guard, will take place at Brighton Township Cemetery, near Marne.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to the United Church of Christ.

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