Updated: Sandra “Sandy” Kuykendall, 75, of Floyd

Sandra “Sandy” Kuykendall, 75, of Floyd, Iowa, passed away on August 12, 2026, in Charles City, with her husband, Mark by her side. Her daughters, Niki and Brandi, four surviving sisters, Bonnie, Debby, Janene and Sharon, and her nieces Tina and Maddie, were also present during her final hours, surrounding her with the same steadfast family bond that had shaped her life from the beginning.

Those who knew Sandy are invited to join her family at a celebration of Sandy’s life, which will be held at the Floyd Community Center on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. where a light lunch will be served. A private interment at Sunnyside Memory Gardens will follow.

Born on March 30, 1951, in Charles City, Sandy grew up as one of ten children — a childhood full of noise, loyalty, and the kind of resilience that comes from a large family. For the past twenty‑plus years, she made her home in Floyd, where she embraced small‑town life and the sense of community that came with it.

Sandy loved the outdoors and spent many happy days fishing and camping with Mark. The two were first married in 1983 and later remarried in 2003 — a testament to the enduring connection they shared. She was also a voracious reader, especially devoted to the novels of Stephen King, and she always had a dog by her side throughout her life.

Sandy spent most of her working years as a nursing assistant, caring for others with a determination that reflected who she was. She also enjoyed her time working as a cashier at various convenience stores, where she loved keeping up with people from the community.

She was a spirited woman with a strong will and a temper to match — qualities that could seem challenging, but also spoke to her fire, her independence, and her refusal to back down from the people and commitments she cared about. She battled lung cancer with that same determination, living nearly ten years in remission before the disease ultimately returned.

She is survived by her daughters and their husbands: Nicole (“Niki”) and Lewis Litzel of Waterloo, and Brandi and Joe Hoffmann of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. She is also survived by her step-daughter, Linda, and her son, Casey. Sandy’s dedication to Casey over the past twenty years was one of the defining commitments of her life.

Sandy leaves behind six grandchildren: Alena, Easton, Kara, Mattie, Luke, and Daniel.  The family takes comfort in knowing she is reunited with her granddaughter Evelyn, who preceded her in death.

Sandy is survived by her sisters and her brother, Dennis. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Elaine Hollar and Walter LaBounty; her sisters Carol Maschek and Gloria Rover; her brothers Gary Dostart and Larry Freiberg, and her parents-in-law, Clarus (“Corky”) and Norma Kuykendall.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements.  Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.