Urma Mae Headrick of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Anne Headrick in Afton, MN. Her Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, May 24 in West Nidaros Lutheran Church, rural Baltic. Visitation with family present will be on hour prior to the start of the service.

Urma Mae Headrick was born on the farm of her grandparents, the Ordals, in Colton in 1927. She lived with her parents, Amanda and Wilhelm Sando  and four brothers on their farm near Colton. She attended Huntimer School and graduated from Colton High School in 1946. One of her first jobs was as a 'soda jerk' at the drug store in Colton. She made malts, shakes and sundaes. Ice cream was always her favorite treat. She received her teaching certificate from The Madison Normal School in 1946 and taught in Grimsbach School in Colton. Urma and her friends wrote letters to servicemen during the war. There is a photograph of her and her pals in front of the Colton Post Office that was published in several local papers.

Urma met her husband, George at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls in 1946. He was from Pittsburg, PA. They were married a year later. After he enlisted in the Navy, Urma moved with him to Naval bases around the country. They lived in California, Hawaii, Connecticut,Tennessee, California, and Florida.  She made new homes in each place and cared for her four children. She also worked outside the home at local department stores.  She was promoted to the manager's position in every job she had.  After George retired from the Navy, they returned to Sioux Falls, where he completed his degree at Augustana College.  They moved to Arizona where she worked at Motorola from 1972-1992.  She proudly retired after winning many awards for her work.  

She returned to Sioux Falls, as a widow in 1992 and enjoyed spending more time with her family there and in Colton.  She took care of her aging mother until she died in 2005 at the age of 107.  Urma enjoyed her life. She loved to garden and feed the birds.  She quilted and crocheted and  always had many craft projects to do.  

Urma was especially proud of her Lutheran heritage. Her Grandfather O. O. Sando founded over 17 churches as a traveling minister. His last church was the West Nidaros Lutheran Church.  A fitting place for the celebration of her full and adventurous life.

She was devoted to her family and loved her cats. The family would like to thank you all for your love and support now and throughout the last few difficult years. She will be be missed deeply by all whose lives she touched.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Donna Moore (Charlie), Blaine TN, Larry Headrick (Anne), Afton, MN, Barbara Headrick, South Deerfield, MA, and Diana Swier ( Howard), Baltic, SD, her brothers Alverdo and Orllo Sando, 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Amanda and Wilhelm W. Sando, her husband, Henry (George) Headrick Jr, brothers Merton and Delmar Sando, and her sisters-in-law Roberta, Emily, Jean, and Nila Sando.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be given to Daybreak Adult Day Services, Sioux Falls, SD and the Sioux Falls Humane Society.

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