Sandra Hamilton Zickefoose

Sandra Castle Hamilton Zickefoose, of Ellsworth, NE passed away on June 3, 2022, in Alliance, Nebraska.

Sandra Castle was born in Hyannis, NE to Steen and Irma Castle on March 20, 1936. She went to school in Hyannis where her mother taught, graduating from Hyannis High School in 1954. She grew up working with her Dad on the ranch and riding horses with her sister, Marianne and cousin, Janet Castle. She taught at Spade School District 133 for two years. She attended Chadron State College for one year, rooming with her lifetime best friend Gail Glassgow. Gail introduced Sandra to her cousin, Norman on a blind date. She married Norman Hamilton on June 16, 1957 in Hyannis. To this union five children were born, Charlie, Cindy, Mark, Melanie and Cherry.

Sandra was the epitome of a ranch wife working alongside her husband and children. She loved anything outdoors, including gardening.  She canned 100 quarts of beans, 100 quarts of corn and 200 quarts of tomatoes annually for many years. Sandra was a lover of animals (including a pet skunk). Many remember Sandra wrangling her many cats.  If she were going to get stuck driving a pickup, she was known to say, “If I’m going to get stuck, I will be good and stuck.” She didn’t want the guys to simply drive the pickup out!

Sandra sold and worked on Vermeer Balers with Norman and her son, Charlie for over 30 years. Sandra would hunt for a problem with a baler before she would fix it. However, when she needed help on a baler, she was known to hit metal with a hammer, so that help would come running to fix it for her.

She was a second Mom to many and was known for being hard working, fun and mischievous with a twinkle in her eyes! She lived her faith quietly, but with tenacity. She was involved in 4-H leadership and DAR for nearly 50 years. She loved and cared for her Church family at Pleasant Point for many years.  Sandra was a faithful wife, dedicated mother, encouraging mentor and a steady friend to many. She and Norman celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary prior to his death in 2006.

Sandra married Jack Zickefoose May 31, 2008, at Pleasant Point Church.  They resided in Hyannis until Jack passed away in 2016.  Sandra was loved by many wherever she lived.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents Steen and Irma Castle, In-laws Ransom and Thelma Hamilton, husbands, Norman and Jack, sister Marriane Fowler, brothers-in-law Tom Fowler and Harold Hamilton.

Grateful to have shared life with Sandra are children, Charlie (Dana) Hamilton of Ellsworth NE, Cindy (Craig) Benson of Plattsmouth NE, Mark (Laura) Hamilton of Sterling CO, Melanie (Mike) Hotz of Crook CO, Cherry (Shawn) Felkins of Ellsworth NE; step daughters, Kayla (Mike) Wintz of Bingham NE and Nancy (Doug) Stevens of Hyannis NE; 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her Grams, and several step-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild;  nephews, sister-in-law Eleanor Hamilton, and lifetime BFF Gail Glassgow.

Please honor Sandra by sending Memorials to Pleasant Point Church.

The family of Sandra wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the staff and nurses at Highland Park Care Center.