Sandra passed away with loved ones nearby at the University Hospital on November 29th 2021, following a severe stoke she suffered on Thanksgiving Day.
Sandra was born in Logan Utah to Marcell and Edith Hancey Stauffer.
Sandra is survived by her brothers, Gerald M Stauffer and Kurt Stauffer, her child, Susan Waltman., and her six adopted children: Dave (Diane Hall) Waltman, Scott Waltman, Kristine (Barclay) Bigelow, Rick (Lois Romney) Waltman, Randy (Susan Stidham) Waltman, Julia (Craig) Whetman. She also has 27 grandchildren and 57 great grand children. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, her ex-husband Rex Waltman, her sister- in-law Janice Stauffer & her nephew Glen Stauffer.
As a child in Logan, Sandra was exceptionally strong and active. Her father was the foreman of Cache
Meadow Farm, the largest milk producing farm in Cache Valley. She loved the lambs and other animals on the farm and riding the ponies. Sandra was an outdoors gal in every way, and could not be bothered to be inside helping her mom with “tedious cooking and housework”.
Sandra was in kindergarten when her family moved to Edison Street in Salt Lake City. It was a big adjustment for her, but she kept her focus outdoors, playing hopscotch and riding her bike. She soon made new friends. Sandra was quite gregarious and was elected to be a student body officer at South High School. She loved working on high school reunions later in life. Like her mother, Sandra took naturally to her religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, that she held dear throughout her life.
Sandra played on the girls softball team for South High, and she used to hit fly balls to her brother's friends, perhaps so much that she developed a rare degenerative condition of her lower back. She had her first spinal fusion at the tender age of 18. Sadly this surgery lead to multiple spinal fusions throughout the years, until eventually her back was totally fused. Although her back was a source of chronic pain for her, Sandra did not let it stop her from leading an active life. She was an excellent golfer and could out-drive many men. She gardened, fertilized and mowed the lawn and had the greenest lawn on her street.
Sandra later attended & graduated from the University of Utah, majoring in sociology. It was during these years that she became a counselor at the Brighton girls camp, acquiring her camp name, 'Floss'. Working with the women and girls at Brighton would be one of the great passions of her life. Floss took a break from Brighton while she raised her kids. In 1990 Floss was called to be President of the Brighton Camp, a position she held for the next 22 years. She was an outstanding leader, plain spoken, kind, and with a depth of conviction. She had an open door policy and ready ear for any camper or counselor. She made sure those girls on the “fringes” were included and treated with respect. Floss had a positive influence on thousands of girls as they learned to feel closer to God, to love the outdoors and the mountains… and themselves. Floss was a lifelong mentor to many. She delighted when others excelled.
Floss was the women's sports director for her Stake. It was at a Ward basketball game, that recently widowed Rex Waltman first caught sight of her. Watching her interaction with the girls, he decided right then and there, she was the woman he wanted to be mother for his 6 children. He asked her out and they had instant chemistry. As she told the story, it was love at first sight. She later said that he was the only man she ever loved. Being only 23, Floss had quite a challenge ahead, and she was equal to the task. About a year after marrying Rex, Floss had a daughter, Susan. Floss gave her heart and soul to raising her children. When grandchildren came, she loved them with every fiber of her being. She especially liked taking them up to the craft room at Brighton Camp. Sandra excelled in all crafts and created beautiful ceramics in her kiln and stained glass in her workshop. Her hands were always busy. Many good times were had by her family because of this fun loving, good hearted woman.
Sandra was deeply loved by many people throughout her life. Her smile and hearty laughter were contagious. When you met her, she likely made a lasting impression that left you with a feeling that something fun and exciting was possible. Her smile and hearty laughter were contagious and will be greatly missed.
For those interested, a donation can be made in Sandra's honor to: brightongirlscampcentennial.com
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 11:00 am at Crestview Ward 2795 East Crestview Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108. A viewing will be held on Friday, December 3, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Lawn at 2350 East 1300 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84108. There will be a viewing prior to the service at the ward from 10:00-10:45 am.
For those who wish to view the recording of the services may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/LLHoqL7FgvMYa1utIYOjygsnh18eAGONrtQWyydj4Md4tXr3VNVxMIQzU1eYd6s4.adQ3lrhZFrUUFUI7?startTime=1638639355000
To download, click the download icon in the upper right-hand corner.
Anytime I hear the name Floss, I see a smile, hear laughter and know there is joy ahead! What a pal she was at the U, where studying meant taking our books to the library, setting them on a table and leaving for an afternoon of adventure. We both left the U and went our separate ways. She shared her time over the years and spoke to our LDS ward young women (arriving in her convertible with her personalized FLOSS license plate) and shared her testimony and love for life with them. She is one in a million, and I am a better person for her influence in my life. May you, her dear family be blessed with peace, calm, and love during this time. Kendra Dedekind Divine
Floss our fearless leader and amazing friend. So grateful that I had the wonderful experience of working with Floss for many treasured years as part of Brighton Camp. Her love of nature, her inclusive nature, and her optimistic problem solving skills were the stuff of legends! So grateful her life intersected with mine. To all of Floss's Friends and Family, her influence continues to be "paid forward" broadly across this world.
Much love and affection
Shadows Creep....
Sneakers
Grandma, we miss you and feel the void of not having you close by. We will miss seeing your hair waving in the wind with the Floss3 convertible or hearing the yodeling blaring when you pulled up behind us at a stoplight. I can’t think of a better example of Christlike love and kindness than you were. You saw the good in people no matter the situation. I was especially grateful to spend time with you this past year and I will look forward to seeing you again some day. Don’t be a G and we’ll keep an eye on your garbage pail cards and homies collection.
I will never forget the three years at Brighton in ‘90, ‘91, & ‘92. We were the maintenance couple and our oldest was only 15 months old. His camp name was “Cracker” and Floss made a special Brighton Camp sweatshirt for him with his camp name on it. Oh how I loved that woman. Just being in her presence I felt so loved and blessed to have known her. She will always be one of the few people that have had a major impact on my life. Dear Floss, I will miss you.
I’m so sorry to hear of Floss’s untimely death. But, I feel that her mission on earth was completed. Many people were recipients of her kindness and help. I enjoyed being around her. She was one of kind. May Heavenly Father’s blessings surround your family.
Until we meet again, Floss.
With love,
Linda Adams DeVore
Dear Waltmans,
It's been years since we were raising our kids, but please accept my well wishes and condolences on the passing of Floss. I just found out by chance.
Floss was one of those rare persons who seemed a little larger than life in the way that she could touch people's hearts and make things happen. I learned of Floss long before I met her when my niece was a counselor at Brighton. It came at a time she needed some grounding and Floss helped.. Then my daughter Jill served there another summer in college and loved that experience as well. I have loved the Waltmans and I know that you will miss her. I hope you will be comforted knowing how many lives she touched in ways that she might not have expected.
Fondly, Judy Lever
Barbara Pahnke and I were Floss’ visiting teachers for years. We became great friends even after we were reassigned we went to lunch for birthdays and to celebrate our friendship.
She gave me eggs from her chickens. 😊
Floss and I tried for 2 years to be ministering partners. Thanks to the current RS we were successful and had 1 lovely ministering visit with her as my partner.
Floss was a gift to my life. No matter how hard things were for her or how much pain she was in, she persevered and laughed. I loved her and will miss her terribly.
Bless her family esp Aiden and Floss’ brother Kurt.
I can’t believe she’s gone. Yet I’m happy she’s out of pain and in peace.