SANDRA “SANDY” K. BERRINGER

Sandra “Sandy” K. Berringer, 68, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center, in the embrace of her loving family. Sandra was born in DeKalb, IL on April 4, 1955 to Pike and Shirley Burdick. 

Growing up the only girl of four, Sandy learned to hold her own from an early age. She was always prepared to go up against her brothers in sports, which carried over into her adult life where she competed in  softball and bowling. Ever the adventurer, Sandy was always open to challenges and new experiences. After graduating from DeKalb High School Sandy set her sights on Northern Illinois University where she completed her bachelor’s degree where she majored in French and Physical Education. She also received her teaching certificate for Physical Education from NIU as well.  Sandy was never one to “take it easy” or watch life pass her by, she worked various jobs the entire time she earned her degrees and even managed to coach volleyball and softball and also briefly taught bowling.  Another love of Sandy’s was France.  During her time at Northern Illinois University she earned a scholarship from Rotary International to do a one year foreign exchange program living in Cana, France.  While living in France, Sandy emersed herself in the language and culture eventually becoming fluent in French.  Not only did she live briefly in France, but she travelled all over Europe also visiting Normandy, Germany, Switzerland where she visited the Alps, and many other amazing places.

It seemed as though Sandy had an entire lifetime’s worth of experiences before meeting her husband Russ.  Interestingly, Russ met Sandy’s father, Pike, before he ever met her. Russ and Pike bowled together often at DeKalb Recreation.  Sandy and Russ were married August 11, 1979 in DeKalb, IL at First Lutheran Church.  Two years after marrying they welcomed their first child, Michael in 1981 and Jennifer was born the following year.  With a husband and two children to look after Sandy still always managed to find time for her special interests. It didn’t matter what hobby or project she was into at the moment, she always gave it her all.  Never one to be limited in her hobbies, Sandy enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and making ceramics, but next to music, her favorite hobby was making cakes.  Always ambitious, she started her love of making cakes by making her own wedding cake from scratch.  Mike and Jen have wonderful memories of the elaborate and beautiful creations their mother created for them.  There was no way Sandy’s kids were going to have a store bought cake if she had anything to do with it.  Sandy was also a talented gardener, growing vegetables by the bushel full.  She even used her freshly grown vegetables to make baby food from scratch for her children.  When Mike and Jen were in elementary school Sandy decided it was time for her to return to her love of France and the French language, she helped run the French Club out of Kaneland and even took student club members on trips to France.  Sharing her deep knowledge and love of France with the younger generation brought immense joy to Sandy. Sports and physical fitness were immensely important to Sandy. She loved playing a variety of sports, but one of her most accomplished sports was soccer. She even became FIFA certified as a referee and referee instructor for soccer. If you had asked Sandy what one of her biggest accomplishments in life was, you can almost guarantee she’d say it was founding the Kaneland Youth Soccer Organization.  KYSO is a non-profit organization that is still huge in the Kaneland area to this day, the group helps develop and nurture the soccer skills of today’s youth.

Another big part of Sandy’s life was music.  She started playing the organ as a young girl and continued to use her gift throughout her life.  As a member of St. Gall Catholic Church, she shared her gift with the congregation playing the organ for Sunday services.  She continued playing the organ for the church until her battle with Alzheimer’s stole her ability to play.  When she no longer was able to play the organ, she continued to share her musical abilities with the congregation through singing in the church choir.  Music was always important to Sandy and it carried her through some of her darkest days battling Alzheimer’s. Even while living at DeKalb County Nursing and Rehab Center, her family knew that the best way to cheer her up was to put on one of her favorite songs.  As Sandy lost so many integral parts of herself to Alzheimer’s, she never lost her love for music as well as her love for her family and for life itself.

Sandy is survived by her husband of 44 years Russ Berringer, her son; Mike (Karen) Berringer and their children Austin and Garrett, and her daughter Jen (Rob) Behland and their children Jordan, Rose, Aydan, Emily, and Samantha, her siblings; Roger (Nikki) Burdick, Gary (Kim) Burdick, and Donnie (Susie) Burdick, and many nieces and nephews.

She is now reunited with her parents, Pike and Shirley Burdick.

A visitation will be held at Conley Funeral Home in Elburn, IL from 4:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.  A mass to celebrate her faith will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:00a.m. at St. Gall Catholic Church in Elburn, IL.  Interment will be held privately at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Without Warning, a support group for early onset Alzheimer’s which Sandy and Russ were active members of. Donations may be mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A visitation will be held at Conley Funeral Home in Elburn, IL from 4:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. A mass to celebrate her faith will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:00a.m. at St. Gall Catholic Church in Elburn, IL. Interment will be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Without Warning, a support group for early onset Alzheimer’s which Sandy and Russ were active members of. Donations may be mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.