Donna M. Sandstrom, age 82, of Shakopee, MN, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2023.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023, at 5:30 PM, with a Time of Gathering beginning at 4 PM, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 833 Marschall Rd, Shakopee, MN. Pastor Diana Hunstad will preside. A private interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Services will be available for livestreaming at the link below:
Donna Sandstrom Celebration of Life
On January 7, 1941, Donna was born in Ruso, North Dakota to parents Thornton and Olga (Nelson) Meader as one of five children, Donna being the second youngest. When Donna was still young, her family moved to Luvurne, North Dakota and then to a farm in New York Mills, Minnesota where she spent the rest of her childhood. Donna and her siblings helped their dad on the farm. They were working so hard one day that Donna ended up falling asleep on the tractor when they were bailing hay! After Donna graduated from high school in New York Mills, she moved in with her sister in Minneapolis. She spent her time working in the electronics sector where she started by making speakers, then computer boards, and finally glucose monitors. Soon after moving to Minneapolis, she met Daniel Sandstrom, and they exchanged wedding vows on May 7, 1960.
Donna and Daniel were blessed with three children, Douglas, Debra, and David who they loved and cherished. As Donna continued to work in the electronics field, she moved up into management. She continued to work hard and support her workers, often sharing a meal or receiving a culture related gift. She formed close relationships with her coworkers and enjoyed connecting and learning about all their different cultures.
In preparation for retirement, her husband started to build a new house in Glen, Minnesota. They enjoyed many weekends working on the house, and it was ready when they retired. They spent the next 10 years enjoying their time in Glen. Donna loved gardening, bird watching, and family visits. They both loved to go to estate sales to see what they could find. Donna enjoyed collecting porcelain animals and furniture to refinish. When Donna’s grandchildren, Daniel, Jacob, and Samantha were born, she fell in love instantly. She doted on her grandchildren, making sure they always knew how much she loved them.
Donna’s passionate and loving nature will be forever missed by her children, Douglas Sandstrom, Debra (Lloyd) Kaufhold and David (Lori) Sandstrom; grandchildren, Daniel Lindfors, Jacob Lindfors, and Samantha Sandstrom; sister, Joyce Friedman; sister-in-law, Margret (Dennis) Nida; and other loving relatives and dear friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Sandstrom; parents, Thornton and Olga Meader; siblings, Darrell Meader, Audrey Sowers, and Ailene Cusack.
