MULLINVILLE – Sandy Birtsch, 76, died Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Hill Top House in Bucklin.

She was born December 7, 1947 at Carbondale, Illinois the daughter of Donald and Velma (Gower) Crowell.  A Mullinville resident since March 1990, moving from Norwich, she was a Bus Driver for USD 424 in Mullinville.  On July 16, 2002 she married Samuel Paul Poljansek at the Methodist Church in Mullinville. Sandy did not graduate high school, but she took classes at the Mullinville 21st Century Learning Academy and received her GED on March 27, 2007.  She was so proud of herself.

Sandy was a free spirit kinda gal.  She loved being outside and mowed and watered yards tending to flowers for other people.  She was somewhat of a "handyman" too.  She could do almost anything with her hands; paint, wall paper, clean, sew, loved to build bird houses, cook (loved trying new recipes), woodworking and she did many of these talents for other people.  Her yard was a wonderful sight.  She enjoyed vintage everything which she decorated her yard and house in.  She put together a "pioneer" house next to theirs which was decorated everything early 1900's décor.  She loved Lynyrd Skynyrd music and attended several of their concerts.  She said "The sound of a Harley made her feel good inside."

Survivors include: her son, Raymond Shelton and wife Melissa, Urbana, Ohio; her daughter, Teresa Shelton and husband Kenneth Crowl, Ocala, Florida; 2 brothers, Scott Crowell and wife Maxine, Biloxi, Mississippi and Mike Crowell, Franklin, North Carolina; a few nieces and nephews; 2 granddaughters, Katie Lynn and Danielle Marie; and 4 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Sam on August 11, 2009 and her brother, Larry Crowell.

Graveside service will be Monday, September 30, 2024 at 10:30 am at Hillcrest Cemetery, Mullinville, with Pastor Sam Lufiyele officiating. There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place.

Memorials are suggested to Hill Top House or Mullinville Recreation (Washington Park Project) both in care of Minnis Mortuary, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.