October 24, 1940 – April 23, 2023
Sandra (Sandy) G. Hamer, age 82 of Lansing, Illinois, went to her heavenly home to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 23rd, 2023. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 30 years, Robert (Red) Hamer. Sandy is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Walter and Catherine (Sweatt) Blink of Cedar Lake, IN. She is also survived by her grandson Robert Blink of Cedar Lake, IN, niece Carla Kluch, nephews William (Tracey) Haak, and Benjamin Haak. Sandy is also preceded in death by her parents Henry and Carrie (DeYoung) Haak and her brother William (Carla) Haak.
Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing, Illinois, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral services for Sandy will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 10:00 AM at First Church-PCA, 3134 Ridge Road, Lansing, Illinois. Friends may visit at the church from 9:00 AM until time of service. Sandy will be laid to rest at Oak Glen Cemetery, Lansing, Illinois.
Sandy was raised in Lansing, IL, and was a longtime member of First Church-PCA in Lansing. She truly had a servant’s heart. Sandy was gifted in the ways she would raise funds for Angel Academy, First Church-PCA, and many other groups, organizing craft fairs, the annual Taste of First Food Event, and others. She could always find creative ways to help people, and she created a network of contacts to supply surplus food for many organizations. Sandy was well known for the fascinating bus trips she planned, and she took great joy in planning them. She volunteered at the Thornton Township Senior Center for many years, and was also president of the Aging Committee. Sandy was loved by everyone and will be truly missed. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in Sandy’s name to First Church-PCA would be greatly appreciated.
Sandy was my closest Haak cousin. She and Artie and I were born within 6 months of each other and were playmates. For a while when she was young, she lived with us and called my mother and father Ma and Dad. When we were in high school we worked in the field together on De Jong’s farm. I was a bridesmaid at her wedding and she attended my wedding. When my dad was dying of cancer, she came to California for a visit with him because of the close relationship she had with him and my mom. We stayed in touch over the years through visits and the mail. The last time I heard from her was last Christmas, 2022. It was a typical Sandy letter telling me about her bus trips and her work with seniors and included an inspirational message. Despite early hardships, she made a life that was joyful, fulfilling and giving. She was a blessing to all of us who knew her and I’ll miss her a lot.