Sandra Joan Talpers passed away peacefully on Dec. 19 at the age of 89.
She was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she grew up until leaving for college at the University of Colorado in Boulder, which she attended for two years. It was during this time she met her husband, Merrill, whom she married in 1954, and they were together for 69 years. After spending a couple years each in New York and Texas, she came to live in Kansas City where she resided for the remainder of her life. In the years following, she had four children: two boys, Kirk and Scott, and two girls, Heidi and Stacy. She always said she’d hoped she had boys first and then girls so the boys could watch out for and help their sisters.
Sandra was a devoted mother and the cornerstone of her family as she was the person that could be counted on to handle whatever needed to be done, regardless of the circumstances. Whether it was raising her children to be ones of character and moral values, caring for them when they were sick, chauffeuring them to activities, helping them with homework or providing advice or words of encouragement, she was always there for them. She was equally supportive of her husband in his endeavors while he worked tirelessly in his career as a lawyer, attending charitable activities and serving on committees to help shape the future of the city. She did all of these things and was not one to ask for thanks or a pat on the back as she knew this was her contribution to the family.
While being a caring and loving wife and mother, Sandra was steadfast in her beliefs of family: doing things together, maintaining a positive attitude, focusing on the good in people, respecting others and having to multitask on a daily basis. By exhibiting and practicing these traits, she served as a role model for her children to carry through in their lives as they progressed from childhood to adulthood and eventually into parenthood. As a mother, she knew when discipline was required but also understood when the time called for comforting and gentle words of kindness.
There are many fond memories of activities and time spent together that, upon reflection, always bring a smile to the faces of her children: Summer trips to Lincoln and the Lake of the Ozarks; watching dance classes and recitals; attending football, baseball and basketball games; outings on Saturday for lunch and shopping; weekend trips to Chicago; her love for any food that had chocolate in it; and being available to talk about whatever was on our mind.
As a grandmother, she took particular delight in her grandchildren’s lives by spending time with them, hosting sleepovers at her house, babysitting whenever called upon and taking them on outings to events, stores or restaurants. In her eyes, being a grandmother was one of life’s greatest gifts, and her grandchildren felt this same love in return.
Sandra was a very outgoing and personable individual who loved conversation with friends and family. She was comfortable in any social setting and enjoyed meeting new people and learning about their lives. She was often the last person to leave a party or event because she so enjoyed talking with other people.
During her life, she enjoyed needlepoint stitching, playing mahjong and Pan, watching movies, reading and taking walks in the neighborhood. However, her greatest joy was spending time with her family.
She was involved in various charitable and community organizations. She was a life-long member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah; Temple Sisterhood; National Council of Jewish Women; Hadassah and Brandeis. While volunteering at Brandeis, she served in various roles and especially enjoyed working at the annual book sale, which raised funds for scholarships at Brandeis University. She also helped the daycare at Menorah Medical Center by babysitting children for members of the hospital staff.
Sandra is survived by her four children, Kirk (Debby) Talpers, Scott (Pam) Talpers, Heidi (Keith) Durwood and Stacy (Clif) Rope; eight grandchildren, Heather (Dan) Stucky, Bennett Talpers, Adam Talpers, Danielle Rope, Lexie Talpers, Tyler Durwood, Preston Talpers and David Rope; sister-in-law, Roberta Caheen; four nieces and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merrill Talpers; her parents, Ruth and Hyman Bricker; and sisters, Charlotte Kuklin and Jeri Lipsman.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Dec. 29 at 2:00 pm at Louis Memorial Chapel (6830 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64131). A short grave-side service will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, next to the chapel.
