Sandra Sue Reinhard

Born on Flag Day, June 14, 1939, in Mankato, MN, she was the cherished daughter of Orville and Dorthea (nee Kestner) Bjorgo.

Sandra would tell you she had the best childhood a kid could have growing up in the small town of Mankato, MN. As a teenager the family moved to Mt. Prospect, IL. One of her first jobs was working as a secretary at Palwaukee Airport where she met her first husband Jim . They raised 4 children together. Sandra spent her life showing the love of Christ by serving others. As a charter member of Cross and Crown Church she served as a Sunday School teacher, devoted choir member, and member of the first singles group where she met and fell in love with Bill. The two of them started and staffed the first food pantry at Cross and Crown. After raising her four biological children, she opened her heart and home to 25 foster children. She demonstrated the sacrificial love of Christ to all those infants who needed so much love, hugs, stability, and compassion that a seasoned grandma could give. Sandra’s commitment to family extended further as she and Bill joyfully adopted four children, embracing them as their own without hesitation. She believed that family was built on faith and love rather than biology. Her legacy will live on through the many memories we all have of her servants heart, cooking, scrapbooks, greeting cards and always listening ear and open arms.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, James Bender; second husband, William L. Reinhard; parents, Orville and Dorthea Bjorgo; brother, Richard Bjorgo; and grandson, Eric Bender.

Sandra is survived by her brother, James (Maureen) Bjorgo; her children, Michael (Tracy Dunham) Bender, Mark (Rocio) Bender, Gretchen (Dale) Prechodko, Matthew Bender, Felicia Reinhard, Sarah Reinhard, Joe Reinhard, and Darshaun Reinhard; dear grandchildren, Nicholas (Lynn) Prechodko, Danielle Bender, Ryan Dunham-Bender, Kyle (Mikayla) Bender, Julie Bianco, Samuel Prechodko, Karis Prechodko, Mikey Bender, Nicholas Bender, Mariah Johnson, and Michael Johnson; great-grandchildren, Otto Bender, Ivar Bender, Dakota (Bryan) McPeak, Nicholas Capes, Cody Capes, Savanna Haahr and Ricky Haahr; and great-great grandson, Gideon McPeak. Sandra was also blessed by many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church-Palatine, IL (Link:https://www.immanuelpalatine.org/push-pay/) or Feed My Starving Children (Link:https://www.fmsc.org/ways-to-give/monthly-giving?campaign=657465).

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 23rd, 2026, at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, from 4:00 PM-8:00 PM. An additional visitation will be held on Friday, July 24th, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 200 N Plum Grove Rd, Palatine, IL 60067, from 10:00 AM until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Inurnment will take place at Memory Gardens Cemetery at a later date.