Sandra Kay Truax, of Lincoln, NE, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of October 23, 2024 at the age of 82. Sandy was born in Lincoln, NE on June 9, 1942 to Gertrude and Albert Gillam. She attended Lincoln Public Schools before meeting her soon to be husband and getting married. Sandy married Butch (Norman) Truax on September 12, 1959. To that marriage five children were born. Sandy and Butch spent their lives raising their children between Lincoln and the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota before returning to Lincoln. Sandy held many different jobs before retiring from The Salvation Army Store.

Sandy had a lot of hobbies and enjoyed many sports. Her husband Butch raced stock cars at dirt tracks around the Lincoln area. She also liked drag races and NASCAR racing. Her favorite driver was Martin Truax, Jr. Sandy enjoyed rodeos and would watch the Cowboy Channel so she could watch the rodeos. She was a huge WWE wrestling fan! She always said she couldn’t make any plans for Friday nights at 7 because wrestling was on. I remember when I took her to do her sleep study at Bryan Plaza, all she wanted to know was if she was going to get wrestling on their TV. She loved it when wrestling came to Lincoln. Her son would come and get her, they would go out to dinner and then on to the big event. Those were some of her most special moments. Her favorite wrestler was Roman Reigns.

The Native culture was very important to Sandy as her husband was Native. She always told me stories of going and living on the Reservation with Butch and their oldest daughter. Her son was born on the res before they returned back to Lincoln. Sandy took great pride in her collection of Native American memorabilia that she displayed in her home. She also was a huge Elvis fan. She loved listening to his music and collected Elvis memorabilia as well.

Sandy moved to Mahoney Manor five years ago. Little did she know that she would meet her new best friend that lived right across the hall from her! Her name is Barb Harpham. These two ladies have shared many happy times together, and some very sad times as well. They laughed together, cried together, grieved together, and celebrated together. Sandy loved you very much, Barb. Her family and I thank you for always being there with her when she needed you.

Shortly after moving into Mahoney Manor Sandy joined the morning Coffee Club. She was always an outgoing lady and liked to socialize a lot and liked to know “what’s going on at the manor”. That was the place to find out. So, when the opportunity came open for her to volunteer of course she said yes. She was so excited she would get up at 3:30 in the morning to get herself woke up and be down to the community room by 5:30ish to get the coffee started.

While joining the coffee club Sandy made another friend, his name is Bernie. Bernie is a jokester and loved to tease Sandy. Any time he had something smart to say to her, she would always come back with a smart answer back and the same went for her. If people didn’t know better, a person would think they were married. They even went so far as to say they were getting a divorce and had an actual fake certificate of divorce made up!

Bernie is a volunteer van driver for trips that the residents would sign up to take. Sandy loved to go on the trips with Bernie driving and the other residents. Believe me, they talked the same way on the van trips. One of her favorite places to go was The Golden Corral up by Omaha and then we would stop at the Goodwill to shop on our way back home. There were many more trips…the Safari place, melodramas at Mahoney State Park, the movies, other restaurants that served Margaritas and of course our annual Christmas lights tour. Thank you, Bernie and Marilyn, for all of the joy and laughter you brought into Sandy’s life and for always watching out for her. Thank you to you both and Barb for coming to see her at the Journey House and putting that big smile on her face that only you can do, Bernie. You all made her last days more special for her. Thank you to all of you for your support, prayers, and love you have shown to Sandy and her family and myself.

Remaining to cherish Sandy’s memory, Daughter: Vicki Mohroff (Dave) Lincoln, NE, Son: Norman (Chunky), (Carla) Douglas, NE, Sister: Joyce (Dennis) Eurich Lincoln, NE, Sister: Betty (Aaron) Wilson, Lincoln, NE.

Grandchildren: Katlyn, Megan, James, Jessica, Angela, Michelle, Brandi, Dustin, Trisha, Felicia, Desiree, Tori, Kami, Jesse. Sandy has several great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Preceding Sandy in death, Mother: Gertrude, Father: Albert, Husband: Butch, Daughter: Annette Truax-Grimes, Daughter: Jeanna Truax, Baby Daughter: Brenda Truax.

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