In Memory: Sandra L. Stearns

Sandra with KSS Dark Ops - Photo by Julie Christopher for Saddle Horse Report

Sandra Lynn (Felker) Stearns, age 54, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord, with her husband Keaton by her side, on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, in Holland, MI.

Born on November 7, 1969, to Carol L. (Carle-Felker) Schillinger and Robert L. Felker. Sandra led a remarkable life providing for many fun memories. After graduating from Milford High School, she moved to San Diego, CA and Austin, TX for a few years before eventually settling down and marrying the love of her life Keaton in Fennville, MI. There, Sandra earned her court reporter degree serving for many years in Southwest Michigan. Together, she and Keaton raised championship Morgan horses under the "KSS" prefix. She will be most remembered for her love of Morgan horses that was instilled in her at a young age by her mother and her first horse, Christy.

She committed much time to the Michigan Justin Morgan Horse Association (MJMHA) and Michigan Morgan Horse Breeders Futurity (MMHBF) organizations. Stepping up on board for MJMHA, managing their Spring Classic horse show for many years, then passing on the reins to work on MMHBF horse shows.  As past secretary and vice president, Sandra worked over 15 years for MMHBF. 

Sandra is survived by her husband Keaton Stearns, her mother and father, her brother, Michael L. (Amanda) Felker; step-brothers, Andy (Heather) Clark, Chad (Carmen) Schillinger, and Matthew (Angel) Schillinger; step-sisters, Merrilee (Cory) Yax and Andrea Ford; mother and father-in-law Lea and Donald Stearns; sister and brother-in-law, Doenie (Chris) Nylen and Dayton (Wendy) Stearns; niece, who she was especially close to, Rebekka (Scott) Oyen; nephew, Michael C. (Joan) Felker; and many step-nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

A funeral service celebrating Sandra’s life was held on Thursday, November 30, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services in Portage, Michigan. To read her entire obituary, click HERE. 

Sandra's absence will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved her. A remembrance of Sandra will be shared in an upcoming issue of The Morgan Horse.