Sandra K. Reed, 79 of Lena, passed away on July 8, 2026 surrounded by her family at Mercy Health Hospital in Freeport.  Sandra was born on September 5, 1946 in Freeport to Harold and Rozella (Buss) Diestelmeier.

She graduated from Lena-Winslow High School class of 1964.  Shortly after graduation Sandra was married and started a family.  In her early family-raising years she had a huge vegetable garden and canned everything imaginable. She was a devoted mother of four (her younger brother, and her own three children) and a career waitress.  Those that dined at The Circle Lounge and Beach's Supper Club would often request Sandra as their server because of the devoted service she provided to each of her customers.  She was an excellent cook and many people hired her to bake cakes for their special occasions.  Sandra also enjoyed creating and maintaining beautiful flower beds each and every year.  As her kids aged, Sandra devoted the extra time she had to sewing beautiful formal dresses for countless brides, bridesmaids and prom-goers.  And then later turned some of those wedding dresses into cherished Christening gowns.  Sandra was someone who enjoyed  being able to help where needed, whether it was giving a haircut, baking a cake, fixing a broken zipper or whipping up a delicious home-cooked meal to serve a crowd if they showed up – and they usually did.  She also enjoyed socializing with her friends, golfing, playing slot machines, and having an occasional "sip" of sangria.  Her most memorable and treasured times were family gatherings, especially when her grandkids were present.  Those of us that were fortunate enough to know Sandra knew she was the most caring and giving person to anyone in need while expecting nothing in return.

Sandra is survived by her three children- Kimberly Tallman of Freeport, Frank (Delilah) Reed Jr. of Freeport and Brenda (Steve) Koning of Lena; grandchildren: Payton Smith, Danielle (Ethan) Jansen, Jessica (Aaron) Hagemann, Anthony Reed, Nicholas Reed, Casey (Ryan) Bartz and Kyle Runkle; great-grandchildren Zoie Reed and Ava Jansen; brother Gene (Jody) Diestelmeier; sister Judy Diestelmeier and nephew Marty (Amanda) Andres.

She was preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter Faithe Reed, sister Rita Andres, brother-in-law Dennis Andres, niece Stacey Stucke, lifelong friend Cherryl Reed, and her beloved cat Barry.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena, IL.

Private family funeral services will be held.

Interment will be held at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.

Friends and family are encouraged to join us for a celebration-of-life luncheon at Cimino's in Freeport following the services at 1:15pm.

A memorial has been established in her memory.