Sandra Mcniel

Funeral Services for Sandra J. McNiel will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Vicar Dan Wiese officiating. Interment will be in the Freewater Cemetery near Ragan, Nebraska following the services.

Sandra Jean "Sandi" McNiel, 70 years of age, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma (formerly of rural Holdrege) passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at the Cornerstone Hospital in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Sandra was born June 27, 1944 at Grand Island, Nebraska, the eldest of three children born to Armond William and Margaret Lillian (Reed) LaFile. She received her education from Elkhorn, Nebraska, graduating from Elkhorn High School with the class of 1962. She then pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Following her education she was united in marriage to George W. McNiel at Elkhorn, Nebraska on April 24, 1965. To this union three children were born: Daryl, Kevin and Cindra. The family made their home on a farm south of Holdrege in Harlan County, Nebraska. In early years, Sandi focused her efforts on being a homemaker and caring for the needs of her children. She enjoyed being involved as a 4-H leader throughout the years, Cub Scout den mother, and also taught Sunday school for many years at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege. Sandi loved to entertain and organize family get-togethers and functions which always included her excellent cooking skills and crafts. She loved to celebrate holidays, and decorating for individual holidays was pure enjoyment to her.

She had a special way of connecting to young people, whether it was relatives, neighbors or just a friend to her children they were just like adopted children and always had a place to stay. She loved her family, and also considered every friend a part of her family. In 2005, Sandi relocated to Bartlesville, where she enjoyed the weather and many friendship bonds were formed.

Sandi was preceded in death by her parents and a special aunt, Louann Rix.

She leaves to mourn her passing; her husband, George McNiel of rural Holdrege; two sons: Daryl McNiel of rural Holdrege and Kevin McNiel of Holdrege; one daughter, Cindy McNiel of Kearney, Nebraska; three grandchildren: Erika, Brooke and Nathan McNiel of rural Holdrege; twin brothers: Richard LaFile and his wife, Agnie of Chania, Greece and Charles LaFile, Sr. of Axtell, Nebraska; uncles: Vernon Reed and his wife, Marlene of Bennington, Nebraska and Melvin Rix of Fremont, Nebraska and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 20, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Sandi's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.