Iva Irene Sands' Obituary
Sunday morning, January 7, 2024, Heaven received a beautiful angel, Iva Irene Sands.
Iva was born May 13, 1945, the first born of her dear parents, Robert (Bob) & Irene Sands from Columbia Falls, Montana. Iva graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1963, then went on to college at Eastern Washington University receiving her teaching degree. Iva started teaching high school at West Valley High School then to Naches High School where she taught many subjects for 34 years! There are many friends she made at Naches High that she loved dearly. Her extremely artistic talents were amazing and it was great for family & friends to receive her pictures, pottery and handcrafted cards. She battled with MS for 44 years but through it all her strength & perseverance didn't ever get her down until the last few years of her life.
Iva is survived by her younger brother, Mike Sands (Cheryl) and her baby sister, Susie Sands Bradford, (Donald), several nieces & nephews; Michael (Dina)and Tina, Adam (Trista), Johnathan, Tammy (Don), Erica (Matthew) & Heather (Edmund), and all their beautiful children, Iva's great nephews & nieces whom she had very special relationships with. Iva was an "adopted" part of the Couette/Matthes family, who were her dearest friends, Jill and Steve, Gabe and Vincent and Dorothy and Don. Aunt Linda and Uncle John Keegan and Aunt Annetta Rinck were some of her favorite extended family members who she grew up with.
Summit Senior Living grew to love her and they were so good to her. The family is grateful to them for helping her out so much, especially in her final days. She passed peacefully with many of them saying what a terrific resident she was and will be extremely missed. Too many of them to mention everyone, but Kalae (director), Scott (nurse) & the CNA's, Rosi, Ati, Conner, Christian, Faleshia and special helpers, Kai and Alysia. AFI Advanced Care, were also a part of taking care of Iva.
Iva's "Celebration of Life" will be held at a later time via Zoom and her remains will then be placed with her parents in Columbia Falls.
What’s your fondest memory of Iva?
What’s a lesson you learned from Iva?
Share a story where Iva's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Iva you’ll never forget.
How did Iva make you smile?