Sandra Mandelke

Sandra “Sandie” Ann Mandelke, 68, of Fergus Falls, died Friday, April 19, 2019, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND.

Sandie was born August 9, 1950, to Robert and Alice (Grove) Stenstrom at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fergus Falls, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Tonseth Lutheran Church of rural Erhard.

In 1969 Sandie married David Joseph Mandelke at Tonseth Lutheran Church and they lived in Fergus Falls all their married lives. To this union are two special daughters, Jessica and Teresa.

Sandie attended Long Lake District 203 and 1494, later attending Washington Junior High in Fergus Falls, graduating in 1968 from Fergus Falls High School. She also attended Fergus Falls Community College where she earned an Associate Degree in the Arts and she then received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Ed from Moorhead State University in 1972, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She later received graduate credits from the College of St. Thomas, Pacific University, Hamlin, and College of St. Scholastics. Sandie was a member of the teacher’s sorority Alpha Delta Kappa from 1978 until it disbanded in 2006.

Sandie worked in the office at Mark, Sand & Gravel while attending College, this is where she met Dave. She also worked in the Medical Records Department at Lake Region Hospital. In 1972-1973 she was hired to teach Kindergarten and Title I, at Eisenhower Elementary in Fergus Falls. The following year she taught second grade at Madison Elementary. From 1976-1997 she was a first-grade teacher at Adams Elementary School. In 1997 she moved to Cleveland Elementary School where she taught first grade until her retirement in 2007.

Sandie was a past member of Hope Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, served on the Alter Committee and was a Unit Leader. She was a member of the Women of Hope and did some quilting when her health allowed.

Sandie enjoyed camping with family and friends, their lake home on Long Lake of rural Erhard, scrapbooking, reading, puzzles, crafts, quilting, and spending time with family, especially her precious grandchildren.
Sandie is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dave of Fergus Falls; daughters, Jessica (Michael) Fyhrie and Teresa (Matthew) Beske; grandchildren, Paige, Harvey, Madison and Chloe; siblings, Geraldine (Allan) Backstrom, Don (Karen) Stenstrom, Janet (Randy) Fowler, Patti (Bruce) Kugler and Anne (Mark) Kent; in-laws, Gerald Mandelke, Bernie (Carol) Mandelke, Virginia Sanderson, Jane (Charles Crook) Brown, John (Darlene) Mandelke and Christine Mandelke Johnson; numerous niece, nephews aunts, uncles and cousins.

Sandie was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Alice Stenstrom; in-laws, Joseph and Doris Mandelke; brothers-in-law, Paul and Jim Mandelke and special friend Jean Larson.

Visitation: 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls with a public prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service.
Service: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend John Kilde
Interment: Tonseth Cemetery, rural Erhard

Arrangements are with Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls.
Condolences may be sent online at www.OlsonFuneralHome.com