Sandra Lee Ness, born Aug. 16, 1949 in Rapid City, SD, was the third child of Paul and Leatta (Schelske) Ness. She joined her not-quite 1-year old fraternal twin siblings, Greg and Kathy, giving the family three babies under the age of one until their birthday three days later! Another brother, Jeff, born in 1951 completed the family circle.

Sandee grew up in Rapid City and graduated from Central High School in 1967. Following graduation she moved to California. She returned to Rapid City in 1969 and attended South Dakota School of Mines, then married a fellow student, James Sittner, on June 5, 1970.

Following their wedding, they relocated to Pittsburgh, Penn., where their first son was born in Sept. 1972. A job transfer brought them back west to the Denver, Colorado area where Jim worked as a mining engineer. A second son was born there in June 1976. Another work transfer in 1977 took them to Grants, New Mexico where their third son joined the family in Jan. 1978. Later that year they were transferred back to Denver. They were blessed with the birth of a daughter in Oct. 1979.

Sandee was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978 at the age of 29. After bravely fighting a long and difficult battle, she was hospitalized at Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, Colo. and on December 26, 1980, she entered Eternity. Memorial services were held both in her Denver church and in Rapid City. She was buried in the Ness family plot at Pine Lawn Memorial Park, Rapid City.

Sandee centered her life on her deep faith in Jesus Christ, her family, church, and friends. She had a gift for hospitality, with a warm and generous heart. She was a devoted wife and mother and an inspiration to all who walked with her through her cancer battles. The Scripture reference on her headstone is Proverbs 31:10-31 and is very descriptive of how she sought to live out her life. She left an indelible mark on the lives and hearts of those who were blessed to know her.

~~ © original bio by Margo Erick, sister-in-law.