Sandra Kay LaFlamme-Verbos

Kingsford / Munising

Sandra Kay LaFlamme-Verbos, age 61, of Kingsford and formerly of Munising, died peacefully on Saturday morning, January 5, 2019 at the Dickinson County Healthcare System in Iron Mountain following a courageous two-year battle with peritoneal cancer.  She was born on December 9, 1957 in Flint, Michigan to Arthur and Frankie “Bocky” (Thayer) LaFlamme.  Sandy’s early childhood was spent in Flint and Howell before the family moved to St. Martin’s Hill in Munising in 1965.  Sandy attended Wm. G. Mather High School where she played the baritone in band.  She graduated in 1976.  Sandy went to school at Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College, Calvin College, and then graduated from Spring Arbor College.  She went on later in her life and earned her Master’s degree.  Sandy began working the in the healthcare field in a dental lab.  She then was trained to be a cardiac sonographer and she worked for Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, the Marquette cardiologists, Gaylord Hospital, Munson in Traverse City, then Dickinson County Healthcare System in Iron Mountain.  Sandy loved her job and only retired due to her health.  During her time in Gaylord, Sandy taught cardiac sonography classes for Kirtland College.

On a fateful bicycle ride on August 2, 2015, Sandy met her true love, Stephen Verbos and they were married on October 1, 2016.  Sandy and Steve attended Grace Baptist Church in Kingsford.  She had continued her high school baritone career by playing in the orchestras in the communities where she had lived.  In addition to biking, Sandy also enjoyed kayaking.  She was a “Master Fiber Artist” with knitting needles and crochet hooks.  She generously shared her talents with family and friends by making them gifts.  Sandy taught knitting classes and she treasured her yearly knitting retreats with her “Knit Wits.”

As a young child, Sandy trusted Christ as her savior, but in 2014, her heart really opened up to Him and her faith sustained her and never wavered during her diagnosis and treatment.  She was an inspiration to many.

Sandy is survived by her loving husband – Steve Verbos of Kingsford; children – Eric (Stacey Maki) Lambert of AuTrain and Frankie Wilson of Marquette; stepchildren – Daniel (Jessica) Verbos of Jenison, MI, Michael (Rose) Verbos of Salt Lake City, UT, and Julianne Verbos of Jenison, MI; grandchildren – Foster Hunter, Ava Hunter, and Benjamin Verbos; siblings – Jerry LaFlamme of Munising, Rick (Kathy) LaFlamme of Clark Lake, MI, Teresa (Paul) Hutchins of Cambridge, IA, and Jason (Julie) LaFlamme of Wetmore; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins; aunts – Peg Sappington, Nancy Prunick, and Ethelyn Gunsalus; uncles – Dee Thayer and Ray Thayer.  Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Elyssa Theresa LaFlamme, and brother Arthur Joseph LaFlamme.

Sandy’s visitation will be held on Wednesday at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. e.s.t. and her funeral will be officiated by Pastor Jason LaFlamme at the Munising Baptist Church in Wetmore on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. e.s.t.  Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising on Monday, May 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Please note that all times are Eastern.