Sandra L. Riner, age 77, resident of Winfield, IL entered into the presence of our Lord on November 10, 2019.
Sandra Lee (Feil)(Solis) Riner's life began January 25, 1942 in San Diego, CA. Her father worked for Boeing aircraft when she was born during WWII and was transferred many times, living in various cities, before her family settled in Delft, MN. Her grandmother ran the post office in a town of about 200 population (where Sandie developed her love of stamp collecting), and her parents ran the general store where they lived in the back room. After her parents' divorce, she lived with her mother's Christian parents, Jacob E. and Verna K. Hiebert, in Mt. Lake MN until her mother Hazel married a wonderful man, Dr. Roger V. Solis, who adopted her (and brother Ken).
She worked many jobs during her lifetime: W.T. Grants dime store during high school, receptionist in a doctor's office and at a physician's lab in Hammond, IN while attending Indiana University extension evening classes, and a billing clerk at NIPSCO until she was married on August 17, 1963 to Douglas M. Riner. Doug and Sandie had three lovely girls (Debra, Karen, and Angela) and settled in Dolton, IL. While staying at home raising three young children, she earned money by washing and ironing others' clothes, babysitting, envelope stuffing (that the children loved helping with), making crafts and chocolate candy to sell at craft fairs. When the girls were older, she worked as an inventory clerk at Basic Steel before her dream job of working in the craft department at Ben Franklin.
While attending Lorimer Baptist Church (Dolton, IL) she gave her heart to Jesus and became actively involved as a Sunday School teacher for 1 and 2 year olds (Waddlers) as well as serving as the church librarian. In 1990, Doug became the Winfield Chief of Police and they relocated to Winfield, IL which brought them to their new church family at Emmanuel Baptist Church where she also helped in the nursery. Many knew Sandie, even if they hadn't met her, by the handwritten cards of encouragement, support, and prayers she often sent. Her faith has helped her through difficult challenges in life, especially the last few years, and she shared that faith with others through those words.
Her grandchildren (Alex, Nicholas, and Becca) kept "Nana" busy as she often attended school events, softball games, soccer games, cross-country meets, and countless orchestra/band concerts. When she wasn't attending events with the grandchildren they were usually at Nana's playing board games, Uno, Phase-10, or a spirited game of double solitaire. She loved watching birds make nests in the many, many bird houses she had hung in trees, on fences, and on posts in her backyard. She loved nature, visiting the Morton Arboretum, camping with family, and making chocolate pretzels earning her the nickname of "the pretzel fairy." She had a few different collections she was passionate about: stamps, souvenir spoons, frogs, angels, and birdhouses. While she may not have intentionally started the frog collection it has grown over the years to include many items and has become a daily reminder of her faith to Fully Rely On God (F.R.O.G.).
She is survived by her husband, Douglas M. Riner of IL, 3 children;
Debra (Steve) Hall of WI, Karen Riner of IL, Angela (Manousos) Athitakis of IL, her 3 beloved grandchildren; Alexander Athitakis, Nicholas Athitakis, Rebecca Hall, sister-in-law Jeannine (George) Hagen of CO, step brother Roger Jr. (Teresita) Solis of CA, 2 step sisters; Minnie Virginia (Rudy) Ordonez of CA, Consuelo (Renato) Santos of Canada and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, and brother, Kenneth Solis.
A Visitation will be held Friday November 15, 2019 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St, Wheaton, IL 60187. A funeral service will be held Saturday November 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church of Warrneville, 3S465 Briggs St, Naperville, IL 60563. Burial will be on Saturday November 16, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Concordia Cemetery, 6551 Calumet Ave, Hammond, IN 46324
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Emmanuel Baptist Church Food Pantry (Warrenville, IL) or Gideons (for Bibles).