Sandra Kay (Borchert) Portenier, 80, passed away on July 15, 2020, at the Phillips County Hospital.  Sandra was born January 21, 1940, in Wray, Colorado to Carl and Helen (Helzer) Borchert. Sandra grew up in Chappell, Nebraska, with her six siblings where she attended high school. Sandra met Alven (Dean) Portenier, while he was in Chappell working.  At this time, they knew they had met the love of their lives. They chose to elope on January, 3, 1957, saying their vows at the courthouse in Great Bend, Kansas.

Dean and Sandra were blessed with 4 children, Debra Colleen, Diane Rae, Jeanette Loree and Kent Eugene. While her children were little, Sandra babysat other children so she could be home with her own. Later she was employed as the head associate and did bookkeeping and invoicing for Duckwalls from 1972 until the store closed in 1984. Sandra was also employed at JCPenney and Alco working in the office and within the store as needed.

Sandra was a very devoted wife and mother.  Sandra was an accomplished seamstress, and taught young 4-Hers, and most of her granddaughters how to sew.  She sewed the dresses for all of her daughter's weddings. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and volunteered many hours helping with the United Methodist Women with fundraisers, thrift shop, making noodles and preparing food for funeral dinners.

After their kids were grown, Sandra and Dean enjoyed camping at the area lakes along with hitting up the casinos a few times a year.  Sandra enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, watching them participate in sports, dance and school programs.  She enjoyed baking for everyone, her chocolate cake and pumpkin bread were most popular amongst the family.  Whenever family stopped by, they would raid the snack cabinet looking for baked goods and lemon drops.

In Sandra's spare time she enjoyed cross stitching.  Every grandchild and almost every great-grandchild have a special piece that she has handmade.  Sandra also collected poetry and dancing.  She enjoyed listening to country and gospel music and going to country music festivals.  Her favorite season was spring, as she loved to see everything to sprout anew. Sandra was known for cleaning and keeping a tidy house, "my home is my castle."  When asked about her favorite part about life, she wrote, "Everything about being a mother and wife. Love it."

She is preceded in death by Dean, her husband of 48 years; sons-in-law, Jerry Cox and Danny Pakkebier; her parents, Carl and Helen Borchert; brothers, Victor, Gary and Bob; sister, June; father-in-law Alvin; mother-in-law Rosa; brothers-in law, Howard Portenier, and Tom Jorgensen; sister-in-law, Connie Ann Roberts.

Sandra is survived by her four children, Debra Cox, Palmyra Nebraska; Diane Boyd and husband Brent, Speed, Kansas; Jeanette Pakkebier, Phillipsburg, Kansas; Kent and wife Tamra Portenier, Kirwin, Kansas. Also, her sisters, Delores Hansen and husband Kenny; Barbara Simmerman and husband Scott; sister-in law, Marjorie Jorgensen and Elaine Portenier; brothers-in-law, Charles Portenier and wife Diane, and George Roberts and wife Marla.  Along with grandchildren, Jessica Billings and husband Kurtis, Phillipsburg; Jeremy Cox, Palmyra, Nebraska; Kara Hilburn and husband Cody, Phillipsburg; Karlie Boyd, Speed; Darah Bohl and husband Taylar, Claudell, Kansas; Garrett Rauth, Manhattan, Kansas.  Great Grandchildren: Jocelyn, Brynn, and Kannon Billings; Nyla Salinas, Prestyn, Parker, and Pierce Hilburn, all of Phillipsburg Kansas. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, foster grandchildren, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 21 ^st , 2020 at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.  The services will be streamed live on Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel FaceBook Page. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Mrs. Portenier will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.  The family will receive friends for visitation from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Women or Hospice Services.

Link to Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel FaceBook page.