Sandra "Sande" Joan Kopper Thrasher

Villa Park resident for 48 years, beloved wife, mother, Grammie, daughter, sister, and friend, Sandra Joan Kopper Thrasher, 84, of South Bend, Indiana, and Orange County, California, entered eternal life in Heaven on December 12, 2021. Sande passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.

Sande was born July 1, 1937, to Robert and Meredith (Geyer) Kopper, of South Bend, Indiana. She lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and graduated from South Side High School. During high school, she was selected as the "Spirit of South Side" and received many awards. After graduation, she attended the University of Michigan, was an active member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and completed her nursing degree before moving to San Francisco.

Sande said that the most significant date in her life was December 6, 1964, the day she married her true love, the Honorable Thomas Neal Thrasher (Ret), in San Francisco. The two met at a costume party, and the rest is history. After the wedding, they moved to Southern California. First to Los Angeles, then Floral Park (Santa Ana), and finally residing in Villa Park. When asked what they should do with their Villa Park backyard consisting of horse corrals and tumbleweeds in 1973, Sande wished it to be transformed into a "Park". Through the years, while Tom built his law practice, they turned their home into the beautiful residence Sande had envisioned.

Sande was proud of the family she came from and the family she and Tom had created together, including their three children, Tom Jr. in 1967, Kathleen in 1969, and Susannah in 1972. It was her joy to love, care for, and cultivate her children and grandchildren.

She was active in her children's lives. She was always present or volunteering at school dances, sporting events, cotillion or Indian Guides and Princesses. Many knew her as the go-to baker for all her children's class parties and school fundraisers. In addition to her excellent baking, she thrived on being a consistent, present, and loving mom to her children. Sande positively influenced all her kids, encouraging and guiding them to find their way in life. In doing so, she graciously refused the limelight or credit.

She was grateful for her family and friends; she enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, and traveling. Sande applied her expertise in gardening to life in general, knowing that what you plant and nurture in the near term, you will harvest down the road, whether it was the bountiful garden in the backyard or the meaningful connections she grew throughout her life. Everyone she came in touch with took note of her kindness and grace in the community. She proved to have a very green thumb.

Sande is survived by her husband of 57 years, Tom Thrasher; one son Thomas Thrasher Jr. (wife Allyson Pratt Thrasher), two daughters, Kathleen Thrasher Enge (husband Ron Enge), and Susannah Thrasher Shortall (husband Dan Shortall); grandchildren Julianna Thrasher, Mikayla Thrasher, Zachary Thrasher, Lauren Enge, Clark Enge, Coco Enge, Mason Shortall, Maddox Shortall, Meredith Shortall, and niece Tina Louise Fields Medalen. Her parents, Robert and Meredith Kopper, preceded her death, and sister Jocelyn Ann Kopper Field and brother-in-law Jim Field.

The family wishes to thank all of Sande's medical providers and exceptional caregivers, especially the kindness and compassion of Prudential Hospice and Colonial Home Care. They both made it possible for her to remain at home and kept her comfortable in her final months.

On December 29, 2021, a graveside service was held at Fairhaven Memorial in Orange County, California.

The family requests memorial donations be directed towards the Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorial.com for the Thrasher family.