Sandra "Gams" Marie (Powser) Darocha

Darocha, Sandra

Houghton Lake, MI

Her Legacy… Sandra “Gams” Marie Darocha, 73, passed away with peace, comfort, and with close family at her bedside, on March 17, 2023.  She was born on November 14, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan to Herbert and Eleanor (Bragenzer) Powser. She was the baby sister to 11 older siblings, from which she quickly developed her strength and ingenuity. 

Apart from her many siblings, Sandra cherished her sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews, friends, and neighbors. Truly unmatched was the love she had for her husband, Mike Darocha, of 49 years.  While she was a one-of-kind mother to her daughter, Cheryl and son-in-law Chuck, the greatest thing she ever became was a grandmother to her two loving grandsons, Ian (Emily) and Ethan Baxter. 

Some of her many talents included choosing the best walleye fishing spots on the lake, predicting the seemingly unpredictable Michigan weather, and frequently choosing winning lottery numbers. Mechanically inclined, she could often be found out in the garage helping her husband tinkering on cars and engines. Outside, she loved to hunt deer, and she reserved some of the greatest morel mushroom spots in the Houghton Lake area. Also, known to very few, was her rockstar-level ability of playing Guitar Hero on her Wii. 

In the summer months, she loved soaking up the sun at her picnic table with a cold Miller Light, music blasting, and visiting with her friends and family. Other times, shooting pool, bonfires and evening cruises on her golf cart were on her agenda. 

Sandra was no stranger to baking or cooking. Whether she was watching a Michigan football game with her family, NASCAR, or boxing matches, homemade hot wings or ribeye steaks grilled to perfection were likely on the menu. Other favorites she made included deviled eggs, potato salad, and her handcrafted pies. 

She spent the majority of her later years surrounded by nature on the Cut River. Her Mother Nature-esque personality will surely be missed by the birds, small critters, deer, turkeys, bobcats, and especially black bears (Big Ben, specifically) of Northern Michigan.

In her final time, Gams expressed how she considered music one of the best attributes to a good life. She noted it’s healing powers and its ability to always bring people together. 

Her Family…Sandra is survived by her daughter, Cheryl (Chuck) Baxter and two grandchildren, Ian (Emily) and Ethan Baxter, as well as her cat, Yoda. 

She is preceded in death by her Mom and Dad, Eleanor and Herbert Powser, her husband Michael Darocha, her black lab Dora, Sisters’ Doris Irvine and Judy Presnell, Brothers’ Robert, Harvey, Harold, and Carl Powser, and her nephew, Michael Otter. 

Her Farewell…A celebration of life will be planned at a later date for both her and Mike. Please leave a message of comfort for Sandra’s family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign her guestbook at borekjennings.com

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