Sandra "Sande" Sands

Sandra “Sande” Sands, 80, of Alvarado, MN, passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 with family by her side at Valley Senior Living, Grand Forks, ND.

Sandra Louise Spangelo was born on October 30, 1942 in Grand Forks, ND, the daughter of Russell and Valborg (Paulson) Spangelo.  She grew up in Grand Forks, graduating from Grand Forks Central High School in 1960.  On June 26, 1965, Sandra married Clinton A.R. “Bob” Sands.  They made their home in Alvarado where they raised their family.  While raising their four children, she was a local AVON salesperson and later worked for Wynne Consulting as an administrative assistant.

She was a member of New Hope Lutheran Church where she was active in Bible Studies, WELCA and on the Social Ministry Committee.  Sande was also an active member of Alvarado American Legion Auxiliary. 

Sande attended all her children’s sporting events, never missing a game. She also was her grandchildren’s biggest fan in several sports including snowmobile racing, soccer, football, volleyball, and hockey. She was a diehard Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan, even though both teams continually let her down. Sande enjoyed spending time at Pine Lake with family and friends. She also enjoyed Disney movies, National Geographic Documentaries, Bill Gaither concerts and live music. She attended several concerts with Mark and Nekol. Sande loved elephants. She had elephant jewelry, clothing, photos, and an extensive elephant figurine collection passed down from her mother. However, the elephant trunk always had to be UP to keep the good luck from running out. Sande enjoyed crocheting, making several prayer shawls for people in need of comfort, and blankets for her grandchildren.

Left to mourn her passing are her children, Clinton (Michele) Sands of Tavernier, FL, Nekol (Thomas) Kallock of Oslo, MN, Matthew (Jenn) Sands of Fargo, ND and Mark Sands of Oslo, MN; eight grandchildren, Cody (Laura) Kallock, Timmy (Susan) Kallock, Marissa (Jackson) Peterson, Victoria Holland, Evan (Alayna) Holland, Ashlyn Sands, Chasen Sands and Kalec Sands;  five great-grandchildren, Harlow Holland, Olivia and Ada Kallock, Gatlin Peterson and Eden Kallock; sisters, Jan Tronstad of Bloomington, MN and Vicki Lovegren of Olympia, WA and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband Bob, sister-in law Norma (Sands) Rygh and brothers-in-law Marvin Rygh, Lynn Lovegren and Lee Tronstad.

MEMORIALS PREFERRED TO:  Alvarado Veterans Memorial or Oak Lawn Cemetery.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 AM on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at New Hope Lutheran Church in Alvarado, MN.
A RECORDING may be found here: Sande Sands - Funeral Service
VISITATION: 5:00 PM with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service on Monday at New Hope Lutheran Church in Alvarado and also one hour before services on Tuesday at the church.
INTERMENT: Next to her husband, Bob, in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Alvarado, MN.