Sandra Kay Shade , age 84, of Forreston, IL passed away Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at her home. She was born on April 29, 1939 in Freeport, IL to the late Russell and Irene (Stevens) Hille. Sandra married Paul Shade on February 4, 1956. Paul passed away on May 3, 2014.

Sandra attended Freeport High School. She had worked at the Shannon Café for 14 years, starting as a waitress then as a cook and Kmart for 19 years. She enjoyed gardening, feeding and watching the birds, crochetting, and word search puzzles. Most of all she loved to spend time with her family and attend her granddaughter's softball games.

Sandra is survived by her daughters, Deborah (Kim) Sweitzer of Mt. Carroll and Kathy (Dennis) Gantz of Forreston, IL; her grandchildren, Melissa (Rob Holt) Giffrow, Kristen (James) Tornow, Kimberly (Ron) Gallagher, Casey (Sammy Winters) Sweitzer and Courtney Sweitzer;  her two step grandchildren, Jenny and Matt; her 10 great grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren; her sister, Karen Rouse of Rockford, IL; her two nieces and two nephews; her good friend, Shirley Francois; and her beloved dog, Dixie, who was by her side at the end. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, Bud; her two brothers-in-law and her sister-in-law.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, June 19, 2023 at the Hermann Funeral Home in Shannon, IL at 1:00 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Grandview Cemetery in Freeport. A memorial fund has been established.