Longtime Phillipsburg resident Sandra Sue (Leazure) Aust, 82, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at Hays Medical Center following a sudden illness.

She was born April 29, 1938 at Emporia, Kan., to B.J. and Eva Lou (DeYoung) Leazure, the oldest of three children. The family lived in Emporia and Elkhorn, Neb., before settling in Palco, Kan., just before Sandra started high school.

Sandra graduated from Palco High School in 1956 and Fort Hays State College in 1960.

It was at Palco High School where Sandra met the love of her life, Jake Aust. The two were married on Aug. 23, 1959. Jake preceded her in death on Sept. 7, 1984.

After teaching for one year in the Ellis school district, Sandra and Jake moved to Phillipsburg in 1962 where she taught Kindergarten and first grade for over 40 years. After retirement in 2003, Sandra continued working as a frequent substitute teacher for several years.

Sandra was an avid reader; loved dogs, especially cocker spaniels; enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes; and took a hand in various hobbies over the years including ceramics, cross-stitch and even cut a mean rug learning disco with her friends in the 70's.

Sandra seldom wore a frown and could chat with anyone about anything. She was so in tune with things going on in her community that she earned the nickname "scoop" from her news reporter son and his colleagues.

Sandra is survived by two sons, Scott Aust and wife, Jennifer, of Norton; and Jared Aust, of Linn, Kan.; a sister, Dee Meall and husband Bryan Meall of Minneapolis, Kan.; sisters-in-law, Delores Donnelly, Dodge City; Nadine Dugan, Plainville; Doris Coddington, Hill City; and Nancy Tirone, Rochelle Park, New Jersey; a brother-in-law Jerold Aust and wife Mary Ann, of Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jake Aust; her parents; and a brother, Gary Leazure.

Cremation was chosen.  A memorial service will be held Sat. May 1 at 11:00 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel with Pastor Blake Stanwood officiating.  The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillipsburg Elementary School teacher's fund.

Friends may sign the book at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.