Mary Sandven passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 13,2022 in Newton, Iowa at the age of 82 years young.

Mary was born on November 9, 1939, in Runnells, Iowa; she was the 3rd of 4 children to Harry and Bertha (Hawkins) Miller. Mary grew up on the farm with her siblings just north of Runnells. There are so many stories to be told of farm living, chores, accidents and adventures the family had together in rural Midwest Iowa. She graduated valedictorian from her graduating class in 1958.

Mary was united in marriage to Kenneth Holt in 1964. During their marriage, they raised 4 sons, Kevin, Kenneth, Kirby and Kerry, and a daughter, Debbie. While Mary worked in medical and insurance offices, her primary job was raising her family. She always enjoyed being a Den Mother with Boy Scouts. While they didn't stay married, Ken remained in touch throughout their lives. Ken preceded her in death on October 13, 2002.

In 1988, Mary was united in marriage to Robert Sandven. They lived in Arizona and loved traveling together to visit Bob's family in California and to Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada for vacations. Bob and Mary took pleasure in hosting Friday night poker, cooking for their friends, and going out to dinner together. Bob preceded her in death on December 1, 2000.

The summer of 2001, Mary moved from Arizona to Newton, Iowa where she was a member at Howard Street Christian Church in Colfax, Iowa. Mary enjoyed her time shopping, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and watching TV. Mary, known to most as mom, sister, grandma, Gigi, and friend, was devoted to her love of family. She could talk for hours on the phone with her kids and grandchildren about all of life's events or the latest show she was watching. She dreamed of being on Downton Abbey or a Disney princess. Mary's beauty shined bright with her hair and nails always done and the latest fashion outfit to show. She would be late for any gathering, but her beauty always made an entrance.

Mary is preceded in death her parents, Harry and Bertha (Hawkins) Miller; husbands Kenneth Holt and Robert Sandven; brother LaVern Miller; and sister-in-laws Carolene (LaVern) Miller and Norma (Layton) Miller; 2 grandchildren Savannah Holt and Marilea Holt; and one great grandchild Andrew Moody.

She is survived by her brother Layton Miller, sister Mildred Dobbs, children Debbie (Norm) Elliott, Kevin (Kathy) Holt, Kenneth (Donna HarKonen) Holt, Kirby Holt and Kerry (Danelle) Holt, 15 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends that will miss her dearly.

Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, October 19, at Howard Street Christian Church, with visitation starting at 9:30 AM. Services will be live-streamed on Howard Street Christian Church YouTube page. Burial will be in Vandalia at Vandalia Cemetery.