Sandra Mae Bass

Sandra Mae Bass, 78, New Hartford, died Monday, February 9, 2026 at the Waverly Health Center under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice surrounded by her loving family.

Sandy was born October 30, 1947 in Waterloo to the late Mervin Harry and Mary Lou (Folken) Sells.  She graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1965 and went on to UNI earning her BA in Education. Sandy married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Larry Bass, on July 2, 1966 in Cedar Falls. Sandy was a kindergarten teacher for the Waterloo School system for 5 years before transferring to the Dike-New Hartford school system from 1977-2011 and was listed in the Who's Who Among American Teachers in 2000.

Sandy can be summed up in three words: loving, practical and faithful.  As a person of deep faith, she dearly loved and cared for her family and all those she met. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she never missed an opportunity to attend one of their sporting events, play card games or help with homework. Sandy's service to others did not stop with her immediate family, to know her was to be family and that also meant that guests were always welcomed with a delicious meal and a helpful hand. Her confident, can-do attitude led her to constantly be a servant to others.

In the little free time she had, Sandy enjoyed tending the New Hartford gardens, caring for her home, mowing the lawn, and baking her famous chocolate chip cookies and chocolate chip banana muffins. She also loved keeping track of her family through Life360, always keeping a watchful eye on her kids' comings and goings.

Sandy is blessed to be survived by her children, Lara (Kevin) Kyhl, Leah (Wade) Harriman, Leasha (Josh) Henriksen, and Lane (Casie) Bass; 11 grandchildren, Kiley, Colin, and Corbin Kyhl, Cade and Carson Harriman, Charleigh, Owen, and Landree Henriksen, and Bryce, Brooklyn, and Briley Bass; and sisters-in-law, Barb Sells and Diane Bass.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years; parents, Mervin and Mary Sells; parents-in-law, Bud and Lucille Bass; infant son, Troy Lee Bass; brother, Bob Sells and brothers-in-law, Dennis and Doug Bass.

Sandy's Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM on Monday, February 16, 2026 at Prairie Lakes Church.

Visitation will be 2:00-5:00 PM on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Prairie Lakes Church, resuming on Monday at 9:30 AM until the time of service at the church.  Burial will be at 2:00 PM on Monday at Oak Hill Cemetery, New Hartford

Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation to various organizations in the New Hartford area.