Sandy Refle was born on April 17, 1941 to Luella and Aaron Tieden near Communia.  When she was in middle school, they moved to a farm near Monona. She graduated from Monona Farmersburg High School. After meeting Dean Refle, they were married during Dean’s weeklong Army leave on June 21, 1959. While Dean was in Korea, Annette was born. After Dean returned, they moved to the farm near Littleport. Jan was born three years later. They farmed together for 67 years.
Along with being a farm wife, Sandy worked as an insurance and legal secretary and as a secretary for the Clayton County Engineer’s office.  She also worked in the Accounting Department at the Casino in Marquette. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at the age of 51, in which she graduated Summa Cum Laude, she retired from Upper Iowa University in the student affairs department.
Sandy was a passionate volunteer for whatever she was involved in. She served on the Board of the Elkader Fitness Center and actively encouraged loved ones to take part in healthy habits. After the flooding of Littleport, she worked diligently securing FEMA money for the residents that had been displaced. The Littleport Fire Department was a recipient of her many talents. Sandy was also dedicated to the restoration of Motor Mill. For years, Dean and Sandy secretly put up Christmas lights to light up the bridge at the Mill. It took years for anyone to figure out it was them going through all the effort to make the Mill look special for the holiday.
Sandy loved to travel and hiked up Medicine Bow Summit, WY, multiple times. Camping and snowmobiling involved many trips in the Midwest and West. She had traveled to all fifty states. She loved sharing these hobbies with family and friends. Whenever her granddaughters visited, she took them all around the area and beyond to show them her favorite places to hike and explore, fostering a love of nature and treasured memories.
Sandy is survived by her husband, Dean, of Elkport, Annette Hayes and her husband Stan Cousins in Cedar Rapids; granddaughters-Mackenzie and Rylee Hayes, Urbandale; granddaughter Elisha Phelps,(Joe), Phoenix, AZ; great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by son, Jan Refle, and her parents.
Per her wishes, no funeral or visitation will be held.
Memorials may be given to the Littleport Fire Department or the Motor Mill Foundation. c/o Dean Refle, 302 W. Lincoln St. Edgewood, IA 52042
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elkader, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.