- Born on: May 5, 1925
- Departed on: January 15, 2019
- Resided in: Hiawatha, IA
Dorothy Sandstrom
Dorothy Sandstrom passed in her sleep at Hiawatha Care Center (IA) on January 15, 2019. Born in International Falls, MN on 05/05/1925, she was proud of her 13 brothers and sisters. She was married to Harvey Sandstrom for over 62 years. They met on the train from Seattle to Minnesota while working on the war, and went on a lifelong journey. Dorothy was building the B-29 as an engineer for Boeing at the Renton, WA plant while Harvey was on the jeep carrier USS Casablanca. After they married, Dorothy began her passion for helping people when she joined Sister Kenny to fight polio. That experience began a career in nursing and helping people.
Her family included three children (Rick, Sandy and Joe), two grandchildren (Dana and Aaron), and four great grandchildren (Thea, Will, Emmett and Andrew). Dorothy loved her family, was very private and enjoyed working with her hands. Establishing the town of Hoyt Lakes, MN and building their dream home at Pokegama Lake near Grand Rapids, MN are examples of dreams that Dorothy was able to realize. Her love of nature included considerable time watching the ducks and loons at her lake. Her inspirations and energy to serve others created wedding dresses, quilts, teddy bears, pottery, jewelry, children’s clothes, stained glass windows and wonderful meals. She was a willing traveler, and enjoyed catching and eating walleyes in Ontario as she explored the wilderness north of MN with Harvey. She enjoyed working with her husband, rebuilding several airplanes, and using her knowledge to help their Aeronca Champ and Cessna 180 explore the wilderness. Winters in AZ were good to her as they enjoyed the sunshine in Mesa. She welcomed her friends, loved her sister weekends at the lake and believed everyone needed more hugs.
She lived simply, enjoyed being outside and always wanted to be a cloud in the sky. Dorothy wasn't afraid to do the hard things, and believed the world could - and should - be a better place. She accomplished that by working hard, learning more, thinking out of the box, and by serving, believing in, and fostering greatness in others. She wanted everyone to understand that we can do more together. Her final words during her evening prayer were “God Bless my Family!”
A celebration of her life will be planned later this spring.
Her family included three children (Rick, Sandy and Joe), two grandchildren (Dana and Aaron), and four great grandchildren (Thea, Will, Emmett and Andrew). Dorothy loved her family, was very private and enjoyed working with her hands. Establishing the town of Hoyt Lakes, MN and building their dream home at Pokegama Lake near Grand Rapids, MN are examples of dreams that Dorothy was able to realize. Her love of nature included considerable time watching the ducks and loons at her lake. Her inspirations and energy to serve others created wedding dresses, quilts, teddy bears, pottery, jewelry, children’s clothes, stained glass windows and wonderful meals. She was a willing traveler, and enjoyed catching and eating walleyes in Ontario as she explored the wilderness north of MN with Harvey. She enjoyed working with her husband, rebuilding several airplanes, and using her knowledge to help their Aeronca Champ and Cessna 180 explore the wilderness. Winters in AZ were good to her as they enjoyed the sunshine in Mesa. She welcomed her friends, loved her sister weekends at the lake and believed everyone needed more hugs.
She lived simply, enjoyed being outside and always wanted to be a cloud in the sky. Dorothy wasn't afraid to do the hard things, and believed the world could - and should - be a better place. She accomplished that by working hard, learning more, thinking out of the box, and by serving, believing in, and fostering greatness in others. She wanted everyone to understand that we can do more together. Her final words during her evening prayer were “God Bless my Family!”
A celebration of her life will be planned later this spring.
