Mrs. Sandra LaDoris Willkom

Sandy was born on April 4, 1940, in St. Paul, MN to the late Clifton Herbert and June Doris Peterson. She was the second oldest of five children, two preceded her in death.

She will be remembered for her sweet tooth and her love of goodies baking in the oven. Those smells carried a sentimental longing to see her mother again and stirred feelings of nostalgia. One of her favorite memories was the ice rink on Hawthorn. Years later, long after the ice melted and the snow was gone, that patch of ice remained etched in her memory. It was a symbol of love, patience, and a quiet magic her father created in the backyard each year.

Sandy also loved remembering and retelling stories of family trips to the cabin at Tame Fish Lake. She spoke of family members skiing in sunlit waters, swimming until sunset, cooking meals together, and playing cards late into the night.

Sandy married the love of her life, Richard Edward Willkom, on May 2, 1959 – a patient cowboy with the thunderous voice and a gentle spirit. He went ahead a few years back and was a man of his word. When he promised her that they would share a bench in the afterlife, we all knew he meant it. Sandy was at peace with dying, knowing it would mean finally seeing him again.

She is survived by her three sons: Michael (Michele) of Waverly MN, Daniel (Leslie) of Pflugerville, TX, and Curtis (Caren) of Bertram, TX, ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and by two sisters: Diane Lambert (Jack) of Hastings, MN, and Elaine Pedrow (Bill) of Henning, MN, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be Friday, September 5, 2025, at House of Prayer Lutheran Church, 6039 40th Street N, Oakdale MN 55128. Visitation from 10:00 am to 11:00am. Service at 11:00 am followed by a luncheon