Sandra “Sandy” Rosann Simmons Maike, 78, passed away in the early hours of Saturday, April 19th, 2025, at her home.
Sandy was born on October 29th, 1946, in Kansas City, Kansas. She was the only child of Virgil Simmons and Sylvia Henderson Simmons.
Sandy grew up in and attended schools in Eskridge, Kansas. She graduated from Eskridge High in 1963. Sandy’s first love in life was music. Sandy won State competitions in flute and violin. She also played piano and organ.
On July 8th, 1962, Sandy married John “J.R.” Rau Maike Sr. in Eskridge, KS. J.R. passed at their home in Hessdale, KS., on October 9th, 2011.
Alongside her husband, Sandy helped run multiple family businesses. Some included, Sandy’s Kennel, which was the largest commercial kennel in the United States, Maike Pheasant Farm and Shooting Preserve, and Briarwood Farms LTD, a gourmet food manufacturing company with stores in five malls. She and J.R. were true entrepreneurs.
One of her favorite pastimes was watching her children or grandchildren play sports. She was an animal lover and always had time for her pets. Sandy was an avid reader, a passion that she passed down to many of her children and grandchildren. There were two places that Sandy loved, being at her husband's side and Hawaii, where they spent countless vacations together.
She is preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Adolph and Alice Maike, her daughter-in-law Jackie Maike, and grandson Jordan.
Surviving family includes her five Children, John Maike Jr., Alma, KS, Rosie Spain and family, Nevada, Rick (Angela) Maike, Kentucky, Laurie (Tim) Davis, Rossville, KS, and Erin (Eric) Bradshaw, Oklahoma. Eight Grandchildren, Johnaka (Zane) McCosker, Hunter (Stephanie) Maike, Charlotte & Gavin Bradshaw, Westin Maike, Brandon (Becca) Yocum, Ryan (Karlee) Yocum, and Alex Fank, and ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Monday morning (April 28, 2025) at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma with the Rev. Robert Grimm officiating. Burial will be held in the Swedish Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow.
Memorials may be made to the Mission Valley High School Music Program or the Wabaunsee High School Music Program. Please make checks payable to the organization of your choice and those may be sent to Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.