Sandra Marie Campbell, age 75, of Richfield, passed away late Monday evening, August 18, 2014, with her loving family by her side at her Richfield home. A Celebration of Life Service is Monday, August 25, 2014, at 12:00 Noon, with visitation from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake. Pastor Doug Allen will preside. Sandy will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
It was a cold winter day in Minneapolis on December 22, 1938 when Russell Lee and Clara Marie (Sampson) Neuman received an early Christmas present with the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Sandra Marie. Sandy loved growing up with her siblings, Russell and Patricia. Sandy attended West High School where she made many life-long friends.
After graduation, Sandy entered the work force. A few years into her career she began working at Western Electric. One night she attended a work event at a local bowling alley where she met the love of her life, Jay Campbell. The two began dating, and their love grew. Jay and Sandy exchanged wedding vows on May 7, 1960 at the Little Brown Church in Iowa. They were blessed with four beautiful daughters, Penny, Jill, Wendy and Beth. Sandy and Jay also had a son, Stephen Jay born on April 15, 1971. Stephen became one of God’s special angels in heaven on April 28, 1971.
As a family, the Campbells took many camping trips throughout the years. They would take their pop-up camper around to all of the state parks, and spent many weekends at the KOA in Cokato, MN. In the early 80’s, Sandy and Jay bought a cabin on Big Bear Lake in Wisconsin, which became a popular destination for their extended family and friends each summer weekend.
Throughout the years, Sandy worked for many different companies. She was a skilled secretary and even had a job working as a clinical secretary at the VA Hospital. She enjoyed her work there, but eventually moved on to work at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. She was there for 20+ years and made a lot of close friends working as an inventory clerk in the maintenance department.
After retirement, Sandy and Jay headed down south for the winters. They spent a few winters in different areas around the south west before settling in Texas. They bought a mobile home and settled in Paradise Park where they made many new friends. Sandy was always hosting family and friends who would come to visit to escape the cold Minnesota winters. Sandy and Jay spent most of the winter down south, but Sandy would always make it home to spend Christmas with her girls and grandchildren.
Family was the most important thing in Sandy’s life. She was always buying special things for her kids, her son-in-laws and the grandkids. Everything she bought was purchased with love (and for a great bargain!). Sandy was the model of generosity. She was known to her entire family as the “Queen of Greeting Cards.” No matter what the holiday (birthday, anniversary, Halloween) she’d send a personal card to each of them.
Sandy was a kind woman who was always happy and completely selfless. She showered her family with love and will always be remembered as a loving wife, protective mother, and generous grandma.
Left to honor Sandy’s life and mourn the death is her husband of 54 years, Jay; daughters, Penny (Jeff) Zalesky, their children, Alex and Tyler; Jill (John) Zalesky, their children, Mike and Stephanie (Justin) Ottinger; Wendy (Julian) Cordle, their children Jacob, Trent, and Jeremiah; Beth (Mike) Swartz, their children, Mallory and Brenna; step-mother, Lois Neuman; brother-in-law, Richard Sewich; sister-in-law, Jan Atwood; other loving relatives and devoted friends.
There to welcome Sandy to Heaven is her infant son,Stephen Jay Campbell; parents; brother, Russell Neuman; sister, Patricia Sewich; brother-in-law, Jerry Atwood.
Pall bearers for Sandy are Jeff Zalesky, John Zalesky, Mike Swartz, Julian Cordle, Alex Zalesky and Justin Ottinger.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation proudly serves the Campbell family.
