Sandra Ellen Moore lived a life filled with faith, family, teaching, and a deep love for her community. For over 50 years, Brookings, SD, was home to Sandra, where she touched countless lives as an educator, civic leader, business owner and volunteer.

Above all, she was a devoted wife and mother of four sons, and nothing brought her greater pride or joy than her family.

There was no option for a quick trip to the grocery store for Sandra Moore, as there was always a friend, neighbor, former colleague or student, who stopped to say hello and reminisce, and she was happy to chat.

Sandra taught thousands of students during her career in education, teaching textiles at South Dakota State University for many years, and later continued her love for teaching at George S. Mickelson Middle School, where she taught Family and Consumer Science classes until her retirement. She loved making grocery lists for the recipes she planned for students to make, and was a regular at her local grocery store.

Sandra Ellen Schroder was born in Donaldson, IA, and moved to Carthage, IL, where she was graduated from high school. Sandra made full use of her musical talents, playing the piano and singing at two different churches every Sunday. She enjoyed her roles in the school Color Guard, as a baton twirler and flag bearer for the high school band, and she passed her baton and flag to her granddaughter, carrying on that tradition at Brookings High School.

After graduation, she attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL, earning her teaching degree in three years. She was a cheerleader for the Fighting Leathernecks; however, she never wore a Western Illinois spirit shirt in Brookings, as she was faithful to the SDSU Jackrabbits.

Her first teaching job was at the school in Cambridge, IL, where she met her husband, Donald Moore. She later taught in Roseville, IL, while her husband finished his degree at Western Illinois University. The couple were married and moved to Brookings, where Don attended SDSU, earning his doctorate, and Sandra earned a master’s degree.

Sandra had strong faith throughout her life, and she shared her faith with her husband and sons, and was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Brookings. She served on the church council, as an usher, and sang in the church choir. She also volunteered regularly at the Harvest Table at the church.

Sandra was a committed educator and community volunteer, and she served on the Brookings City Planning Commission as well, however, her number one priority and proudest accomplishment was her four sons. Nearly every conversation included “My four boys” and she was proud of each one. They will carry on her legacy.

Sandra Moore passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026, surrounded by her four sons and their families. She is survived by her sons and their families: Michael (Kelly) and their children Hollie, Andrew, and Allie (Landon); Marty (Brett Armstrong) and their children Tess and Holden; Jeff (Maia) and their children Mason and Mollie; and Greg (Lynette) and their children Braeden, Kilea, and Jaclyn. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Lainey, Brinley, and Blakeley, children of Andrew; and Finley and Linden, children of Allie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Moore and her parents, Benjamin and Mildred Schroder.

The family and all others are welcome to attend the visitation on Monday, October 26th, from 5-7 p.m. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 27th, at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Brookings, followed by burial at the Greenwood Cemetery, Brookings. A luncheon will be held at the church after the burial.

Memorials may be directed to Sandra’s favorite charities, including the Brookings Boys and Girls Club, the Brookings Humane Society, or the Harvest Table at First United Methodist Church, Brookings.