Sandra Kaye Wasden Criddle

April 23, 1956 - December 31, 2024

Our beloved mother, sister, wife and grandmother, Sandra Kaye Wasden Criddle died on December 31, 2024.
She was born on April 23, 1956, in Burley, Idaho, with her blue eyes and thick blonde unruly curls.
Sandra was a beautiful, independent, and kind sister, daughter, and wife, beloved by her parents and siblings.
Sandra attended Twin Falls High School before studying Vocal Pedagogy at Brigham Young University.
Playing the piano, flute, and singing from a young age, she had a beautiful voice and sang solo for Queen Sofia of Spain as part of the BYU A Cappella Choir directed by Ralph Woodward.
After marrying her husband, Paul Criddle, on June 4, 1976, she lived in Mud Lake, Idaho, Cowley, Wyoming, and Downey, Idaho, eventually ending up in Winnemucca.
She continuously distilled her love of music into her family, her many vocal and piano students, and community youth groups.
She directed the “Showstoppers” children’s performing group that was a community favorite in Winnemucca.
Her vocal students went on to win superior ratings in contests and were outstanding performers in Lowry High School performing groups.
She was a gifted piano player and accompanied choirs for her husband Paul at concerts and festivals.
She directed the Winnemucca Civic Chorus for a short time and was involved in directing and organizing choral groups during her church service in the Church of Jesus Christ of a Latter-Day Saints.
She was active in the church and served in Primary Presidencies, Relief Society Presidencies, and was an amazing song leader in Primary. Sandra was also a frequent soloist at church and community events.
During the time she lived in Mud Lake, Idaho, she was involved in the school/community/ presentations of “The King and I” and “The Music Man.”
Sandra was the center of her family – raising eight children to be strong, responsible, and thoughtful individuals.
She was a gifted mother, wife, musician, teacher, and community member, whose confidence and spirit left an impression on those she encountered.
The death of her 19-year-old daughter, Tamara Lynn, in 2006, affected her greatly and she never got over it completely.
During the later years of her life, she became a victim of mental illness which robbed her of her charming personality and endearing character traits that people adored.
She divorced her husband in 2022 and was living in St. George, UT, at the time of her death.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Tamara, and is survived by her children Natalie (James), Stephanie (Randy), Anthony, Daniel, Taylor, Jesse, and Auriana (Charlie), and their father Paul; grandchildren include Anise, Joh, Michael, Rylin, Radley, Mallory, Lincoln, Easton, Brooke, Vaughn, Jocelynn, Geneva, and Zelda; siblings – Marsha (Mac), Gary (Dawn), Lawrence (Tracey), Shawna (Brian), Krista (Greg), and Brenda (Paul); and parents Karma and Jack.
Sandra was known for her zest for life and vivacious spirit, hearty laugh, headstrong nature, and especially her selfless, kind heart.
She was the heart of soul of our family, and she will be dearly missed.
She was interred in Downey, Idaho, next to her daughter, Tami.