Sandra Joy Nelson

On May 10, 2025, in the early afternoon, Sandra (Sandie) Joy Nelson (née: Titus) passed away peacefully at home in Holt, Michigan, after complications from a quadruple bypass. She was surrounded by her family and friends who loved her dearly. She was 82.

Sandie was born on June 7, 1942, in Lansing, Michigan to Paul Edgar Titus and Catherine June Titus (née: Bashore). She married Paul Robert Nelson II on March 20, 1965, at the Presbyterian church in Lansing, Michigan. They were one of the first couples matched by a computer at Michigan State University. Sandie graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in Retail.

Later in life, Sandie became a figure skating coach where she loved working with young skaters. She taught at Munn Ice Arena, Suburban Ice Arena, and Lansing Figure Skating Club. She was a member of both the Professional Skaters Association and the U.S. Figure Skating Association. She reached her Adult Bronze Freeskate and Pre-Silver Moves in the Field levels (which she passed at 71 years of age!!!) Sandie never accepted that she was “too old” for anything; she waterskied into her seventies, went to CrossFit in her eighties, and never missed a single event, hockey game, or accomplishment by her children or grandchildren, even if it meant driving by herself for four or more hours into her eighties. She also did yoga, karate, and wanted to start doing Tai Chi.

Sandie enjoyed going on adventures and trying new things, she traveled to Quebec, Scotland, Hawaii, Alaska, Yellowstone, and New York City—among many other places. Fort Myers Beach, Florida was one of her favorite places to travel. She never stopped being curious, always wanting to learn more about the world and other people.

She was a skilled painter and artist; she loved to draw and was always seeking advice for how to improve her art. She had an article published in the magazine, Lansing, and was working on writing/drawing several of her own picture books.

She also loved spending time at her cottage on Crystal Lake and inviting family and friends to enjoy it with her. Never wanting to be inside too long, she would fly fish on the dock, take a walk, or find some project to keep her moving. She took pride in her flower filled gardens and enjoyed all the wonders of nature; she especially loved butterflies. She was a deeply religious Christian who found God not in church, but out in nature and in her devotion to her family.

Sandie was loving and generous, doing far more for others than she ever did for herself, bringing brownies, cookies, or meals to anyone who may have needed them and helping out wherever she could. She lit up any room she was in with her smile and energy. She was also very silly, always trying to find ways to make people laugh. Sandie had a child-like curiosity and enthusiasm for life and put her family above all else. She will be missed so much by so many.

Sandie is survived by her three children and their spouses: Paul Robert Nelson III (son) and Bonnie Nelson (daughter-in-law); Kathryn Joy McKendry (Nelson-daughter) and Jesse McKendry (son-in-law), and David Nelson (son) and Denise Nelson (daughter-in-law). She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Jessica Adelman (McKendry), Alyssa McKendry, Isabella Nelson, Ryan McKendry, Georgia Nelson, and Matthew Nelson. She is also survived by many beloved cousins and very dear friends.

Sandie follows her late husband, Paul Robert Nelson II, who passed away on April 9, 2021.

A visitation for Sandra will be held Friday, May 16, 2025, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48912. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11:00am with a visitation one hour prior at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes. Interment to follow at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Holt, MI. Reception at Delhi Cafe in Holt.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sandra may be made to March of Dimes, www.marchofdimes.org , Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org , or Parkinson's Foundation, www.parkinson.org

Sandie wanted a celebration of her life not a sad, somber event; so the family would like you to feel comfortable wearing bright, cheery colors, especially pink-her favorite, in honor of her. However, if you prefer to wear traditional darker colors that is also fine.

Thank you all for being a part of her story, she loved every one of you!