Sandra Lee Tominaga

RUPERT – Sandra Lee (McBeth) Tominaga, age 55, of Rupert, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2013, in Rupert.

Sandy is someone that her husband, children, daughters-in-law, mother and brother fondly remember as selfless, nurturing and someone who always put others before herself. She loved giving gifts and shopping for her family. The family all remembers the special gifts that she picked out for each of them and which they still treasure.

Born on June 3, 1957, in Pocatello, Idaho, Sandy lived in Rupert where she was married to Jerry Tominaga and where they raised their three boys Sean, Jason, and Layne. Sandy graduated from Minico High School. She married Jerry on March 15, 1986, in Paul, Idaho. After working for the Minidoka County School District and at Roper’s Clothing Store, she returned to college and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Idaho State University in 1994. She taught for 18 years at Rupert’s Pershing and Big Valley Elementary schools, Acequia Elementary, and White Pine Elementary in Burley. Her family, children, grandchildren and her students were very important in her life. Her positive attitude toward students tremendously impacted the lives of hundreds of students. In addition, she loved all animals (dogs, cats), attending rock concerts, growing flowers at her home, spending time on Facebook, watching morning television dramas, and her annual guilty pleasure ice cream and fast food outing with her mother. To her last days, she never lost her childlike love and wonder of life.

As the mother of three athletes, she and Jerry never missed a sporting event of their boys. She liked to recall Sean running toward first base and straight into the outfield in his first t-ball game. She once drove from Jason’s Babe Ruth all-star game in Idaho Falls to Layne’s state Babe Ruth tournament in Moscow in one day; driving the back roads of central Idaho, dodging deer, and crossing Lolo Pass. Once when her son, Jason, was hurt on the high school football field, she jumped out of the bleachers, over a railing, and ran onto the field to assist him. She also fondly liked to tell family stories with one of her favorite ones being when son, Layne, jumped in the porcupine exhibit at Hogle Zoo. In the last few years, she treasured time with her five grandchildren who she spoiled with love and gifts.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Jerry Tominaga of Rupert; her three children, Sean (Jordyn) Tominaga of Star, Idaho, Jason (Kara) Tominaga of Meridian, Idaho, and Layne Tominaga of Boise, Idaho; five grandchildren, Ryder, Maci, Mya, Hudsyn, and Jase; her mother, Betty (Dale) Loveland of Rupert; and her brother, Mark (Lisa) McBeth of Pocatello. She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth McBeth.

Though, the last few months were difficult, the family will always remember the love and the laughs that they all shared. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend and she will be greatly missed.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at the First Christian Praise Chapel, 1110 8th St., in Rupert, with Pastor David Lind officiating. Burial will be in the Paul Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Jerry and Sandy have been blessed with a beautiful grandson, Ryder Tominaga, who has autism. In memory of Sandy, the family suggests that memorials be directed to the Treasure Valley Autism Society, P.O. Box 44831, Boise, ID 83711.