Kathleen June Sandstrom

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a wonderful woman who was greatly loved by many. Kathleen June (McCulloch) Sandstrom was born on September 3, 1947, and went on to become the best daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother anyone could ask for. Her peaceful and loving soul touched the lives of everyone around her. Kathy was a strong woman who enjoyed vigorous good health and wasn't in need of any prescription medications. She was the kind of person you thought would live to be 100 years old. But in August 2023, she developed a cold, and after going to the doctor's office for an antibiotic, discovered she had metastasized stage 4 cancer. After a valiant 96-day fight, Kathy passed away peacefully in a warm cozy bed while holding her husband's hand on November 21, 2023. A woman of strong Christian faith, in her last 48 hours on earth, she visited Heaven in her dreams and gave air-hugs with her arms to deceased loved ones she called by name as she slept. Kathy graduated from St Louis Park High School, and maintained many childhood friendships throughout her life. She loved spending time with her parents Harold and Dolores, brother Gary, and her sisters Linda and Betty. She dated Ron Sandstrom while he served two tours in Vietnam, and when he returned from the war, they married and raised four exceptionally successful daughters named Christine, Amy, Linnea, and Rebekah. Married 52 years, their world revolved around their family, friends, and serving many faith-based organizations. An outstanding hostess, Kathy changed the décor in her home each month oriented to the current holiday and always had a fresh dessert and hot coffee ready for their many visitors. Our lovely Kathy was known for her calm demeanor and kind heart; she always spoke soft words, inspiring and blessing her family and friends. Gifted with sincere devoted love for others, Kathy had constant joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, which she carefully taught to her four devoted daughters. A woman of strength, virtue, and grace, she was a peacemaker who listened with her heart, then thoughtfully responded with wisdom. Known for her kindness, wit, wisdom, resourcefulness, and passion for serving others, Kathy had an active social life. She loved spending weekends with family at her parents' lake home on Farm Island Lake in Aitkin, Minnesota. She drove her parents cross-country to visit out-of-state relatives and National Parks. And she never missed a recital, play, ballgame, or concert when it came to her daughters and grandchildren. She especially loved spending time with her sisters Linda and Betty and their families, talking daily on the phone and annually attending the Minnesota State Fair. Even when she worked full-time, she always made time to meet up with her many girlfriends to play card games like cribbage, 499, or Phase 10, or to go out for lunch or bingo, attend craft shows, and shop for the latest deals. Kathy had a passion for community service. Her heart to help children and young mothers drove her to help make the world a better place. She actively volunteered, administrating offices and planning events and fundraisers for crisis pregnancy centers, Brownies, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Pioneer Girls, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Bible Study Fellowship, and Awana. Church activities and ministries have always had a special appeal for Kathy, and she eagerly involved herself. She enthusiastically supported her husband, Ron, who was an Elder in their Church and did Prison Ministry; together they have served many years with The Gideons International and are members of the Twin Cities' Metro North Gideon Camp, where Kathy served as the head of the Gideon Women's Auxiliary. Her clerical gifts for organization and event planning made her a success professionally. She worked for Northwest Airlines and traveled the world with coworkers, especially enjoying their trip to Greece. She was an office administrator and receptionist supporting several Physicians at Allina Health; and then combining her passion for community service with her professional expertise, she became the Director of Enrollment for Anoka County Head Start where she set enrollment performance records year after year leading up to her retirement at the age of 65. A woman of many hobbies and interests, she loved taking care of the small animals who daily visited her yard full of gorgeous annual and perennial flowers. In addition to being an avid gardener, she had a creative flair and excelled at making floral arrangements and centerpieces, scrapbooking, sewing, crossstitching, crocheting and macrame'. Her cooking and baking skills were unmatched, and her recipes were enjoyed by many. She leaves a strong legacy to her four daughters, ensuring that they excelled at housekeeping, cooking tasty meals, making and decorating bakery-worthy confections, sewing, crafting, and gardening. She also taught them many other practical skillsets including driving a stick shift, building a campfire, being resourceful in times of hardship, and understanding when to lead vs. when to serve. Kathy was preceded in death by her brother Gary, niece Lindsay, mother Dolores, father Harold, daughter Amy, brother-in-law Bob and nephews Michael and Matthew. She is survived by her husband Ron, sister-in-law Jan, sisters Linda (Mike), Betty, and their families; daughters Christine, Linnea (Tony), Rebekah, son-in-law Matt; and her seven grandchildren Haylie, Vincent, Lauren, Gianna, Meredith, Anthony, and Leah. Kathy will be tremendously missed; she leaves a huge gap in her family that cannot ever be filled. Her memory will always be cherished and celebrated, and she will never be forgotten. We thank God for Kathy and the blessing she was in our lives. Her celebration of life will be December 5 at First Baptist Church of Anoka with Visitation at 10am, and Service at 11:30am. Her Interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery immediately following. Donations in Kathy's honor can be made to the Gideons International at https://www.gideons.org/donate.

Tributes

Kathleen June Sandstrom

September 3, 1947 - November 21, 2023

Tributes

Kathleen June Sandstrom

September 3, 1947 - November 21, 2023

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