I am so sorry to learn of Sandy’s passing.  She may have been our first babysitter when we were kids and she was always so nice to us.  I know how much my parents loved the entire Holz family.  Will pass this along to the rest of the Proia gang.

Sending love to Sandy’s family - and to the  friends who will miss her. 

God bless…

Sincerely,

Paul Proia
Lighthouse Point, FL.

Dave please accept my sincerest condolences.   My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Dear Dave & Family - we just learned of Sandy's passing and are very saddened.  We met Sandy years ago when the Northshore band went to southern France.  Our son John was the band director.  We hung out with Sandy  for most of the trip and we really enjoyed getting to know her.  We are so sorry for your loss.  Bob & Anne Lynch, Lititz, PA

This is still a shock to me. We kept in touch thru the years even after we moved away. My fondest memories are traveling to Camp of the Woods in New York with our families! Her flute playing was always something that I loved to hear! She was an amazing woman and a steadfast Christ follower. She’s at peace but it doesn’t make it easier for those left behind. We are truly sorry for her loss! Too young! Too soon! Many hugs! Amy and the Burnham family.

My deepest sympathy at your loss.  I first met Sandy playing flute in the Palatine Concert Band in the late 1980's and then reconnected with her when I joined the Northshore Concert Band in 2001.  We used to play flute duets for the Hands of Hope Garden walk event for many years and we had such a good time playing for that in all kinds of weather and then touring the gardens and going to the antique fair at the event.  Playing our concert last week the flutes were all thinking of Sandy and remembering the way she was always there and it felt like there was a hole in our hearts with her missing.

I am so very sorry for  your loss.  I have many fond memories of MOPS with Sandy at Our Savior. She was a light for Jesus and I pray that you are all comforted knowing that she is with Him.

Along with all those who knew Sandy, I was stunned and saddened to hear of her sudden and untimely passing.

I was Sandy's neighbor (in the trumpet section) in the orchestra at The Orchard. Apart from being an outstanding player, skilled and expressive, she was always unfailingly kind and a blessing to be around. It was my privilege and blessing to have played many Sunday services and special concerts with Sandy at The Orchard. She will definitely be missed, and also remembered for how she humbly and consistently offered up her great talent to serve Christ and others.

So very saddened to hear of  Sandy's passing.  She was a wonderful band director at Carl Sandburg Junior High.  I loved playing with her in North Shore Band.  SHe will be missed by so many.

Dear Ellingsen Family: 

There is no way to communicate the deep surprise of such an untimely passing of your Sandy. What a remarkable lady who lived and loved her family deeply. 
I pray that we all find ways to keep her special touch of God's love that she shared so readily with others, alive in each of us to give out and live out.

She is now with her Lord and Savior, surrounded with perfect peace, perfect relationships, and complete wholeness.  

Praying for daily strength for you all.
Susan Carlson and family

Hi.  This is Brad Say, one of the trombone players in the Northshore Band.  My heart felt condolences go out to you and your family.  

As you may know, us brass players in the back usually don't mingle with the woodwinds up front, but I did talk to Sandy frequently.  A LONG time ago, I gave a few trombone lessons to her son... and I apologize I don't remember which one, Ryan or Steven!  Sandy was always very nice to me and we even spoke at possibly her last rehearsal.  

I was happy to hear about her involvement in church and her faith.  It is very comforting to know where she is now and that all of us wrapped in our Savior's love are going to have a GREAT reunion one day!... and probably get to play music together too!  

My thoughts and prayers have gone out to your family.
Brad

Sandy makes me think of Psalm 1 where it speaks about the person who delights in the Lord.  This person is said to be like a tree, planted by streams of water, yielding fruit and prospering in everything they do.  Sandy was always an encouragement, not only in her beautiful flute playing, or in teaching children about God, but in her many wonderful qualities informed by her Christian faith.  She was intentional in her relationships.  She prioritized her relationship with Christ by having consistent devotions and prayer.  She was intentional in her family roles and loved Dave, Ryan and Steven greatly—she happily supported their many pursuits.  She was so pleased with and loved her daughters-in-law, Tiffany and Julie.  She adored her grandchildren: Gavin, Carson, Kayleigh and Jordyn.  Her strongest desire for her children and grandchildren was that they walk with God and experience his presence.  We have also admired her connections with extended family over the years and how intentional she and Dave were in keeping up with them. 

We did many things with Sandy and Dave:  movies, dinners, concerts, picnics, watching football and basketball, lots of fast walks, and a good bit of ice cream.  Among our favorite memories are attending Sandy’s North Shore Band concerts on the 4th of July and having a picnic.  She would make a flag cake and was an excellent cook and baker.  In more recent years, when Sandy took a job as a nanny to Molly, Maddie, and Luke, my grandson Kane and I would accompany them to splash parks, pools, sledding, the zoo, and more.  As I recall these good times, I remember that, so often, Sandy was the initiator.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Dave and family.  We all gained much from knowing Sandy, and she will be deeply missed...

Tom and Lisa Stadler

I'm a member of the Northshore Concert Band and have fond memories of looking across the band at Sandy in the Flute Section. She was always kind and dedicated to music, and I always enjoyed the little conversations we would have backstage at concerts or during breaks in rehearsals. We are so lucky to have music in our lives, and we will miss making music with Sandy very much every Wednesday night.

Dear Dave, Ryan and Steven ~

Words cannot describe the ache that I have for you. It is only because of our love and trust in Jesus Christ that we can go on. I know Sandy loved and trusted her Lord with all her heart too and it seems impossible that we will all be together again but the Bible says so, so we know it’s true. 

I loved growing together in Christ the many years we all attended OSEFC which included the privilege of hearing Sandy’s beautiful flute playing. The Bible talks frequently of instruments creating music to praise God and that’s how I will always think of my dear friend Sandy. 

Love
Ellen Cauthorn  💔

Our Deepest Sympathies  To You and your Family on your Loss. May her Memories be a source  of Comfort.
Robbin Wald
Chuck Kramer

Sandy was such an important part of our orchestra at The Orchard Arlington Heights. Her tremendous skills playing the flute and piccolo always added beauty and precision to everything we did. Her kindness was unparalleled. We will miss her and her musical contribution greatly. We rejoice at her Homegoing through tears at our loss. May our LORD provide comfort and peace to her family at this most difficult time.

OBITUARY

Sandra K. "Sandy" Ellingsen

May 5, 1960 – June 1, 2025

Glueckert Funeral Home

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