Sandra J. Leist, 70, of Colony Court in Niles, died at 3:07 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend following an illness.
Mrs. Leist was born March 17, 1940 in Niles to Charles Maxwell and Virginia (Williams) Schulke. Sandra graduated from Niles High School and lived most of her life in Niles, spending 20 years in Baldwin, Mich.
She was employed as a bus driver for the Brandywine School District in Niles. Sandra was also employed in food services at the University of Notre Dame and as a cook in several restaurants in the Baldwin area.
She began painting 20 years ago and leaves many beautiful pieces of artwork for her family and friends to cherish.
In 1993 in Las Vegas, Nev., she married Richard Leist, who survives. She is also survived by her daughters, Shelly (Larry DeVon) Ingle of South Bend and Cynthi (Bill) Hayes of Niles; grandchildren, William and Rachel Hayes, Jarod Ingle and Courtney Williamson; great-grandson, Jadon Ingle; and nephew, Christian Silo of Larchmont, N.Y.
Mrs. Leist was preceded in death by her husband, Jake Dietz, to whom she was previously married; son, Mark Williamson, who died in 1990; and a sister, Judith Silo.
Funeral services for Sandra J. Leist will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Mark J. Smith of Berrien Center Bible Church officiating.
The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Sandra may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation of Michigan.