LeRoy O. Sands

LeRoy Orval Sands, 93, of Sioux City, Iowa, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Crescent Park Global Methodist Church in Sioux City. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Following the funeral, burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery. A luncheon and time of fellowship will then be held at Crescent Park Global Methodist Church. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is assisting with arrangements.

LeRoy, the son of Harold A. and Edna M. (Heinse) Sands, was born on October 29, 1932, in Danbury, Iowa. He grew up in the Anthon/Oto area, where he attended school. Raised during some of the hardest times, those early experiences helped shape the strong work ethic that defined him throughout his life.

LeRoy's first job was as a lineman for the telephone company. At the age of 18, he began what would become a lifelong career as a machinist. He started at Armour's Packing Plant before going on to teach the machinist trade. Later, he and a partner owned and operated their own machine shop for several years. He eventually worked in the maintenance departments of several packing plants until his retirement.

On June 1, 1952, LeRoy was united in marriage to Juanita L. Morehead in Sioux City. Together they built a loving home and were blessed with three children. This year, LeRoy and Juanita celebrated an incredible 74 years of marriage.

In 1969, they purchased their acreage on Casselman Street near Calvary Cemetery, where they made countless memories together. LeRoy was known for his remarkable ability to fix or build just about anything. Through hard work and determination, he remodeled much of their home himself. He enjoyed antiquing, hunting, and fishing, and took great pride in everything he did. LeRoy was a longtime member of Crescent Park Global Methodist Church.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Juanita; two sons, Todd L. (Diane) Sands and Michael (Weyna) Sands; grandchildren, Todd J. (Holly) Sands, Alicia Sands, Jason (Tashua) Sands, Nicholas Sands, and Mitchell Sands; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Chase, Carter, and Kyndal; two sisters, Janice Ingram and Marlene (Sam) Nelligan; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Lucinda Sands; his sisters, Delores Tucker, Shirline (Jim) Kelsaheimer, and LaVonne (Bill) Adkins; and his brother-in-law, Newell Ingram.