Sandra Brudvik

How do you even begin to write a tribute to “Sandy B”? She made being a good person look easy. From Meals on Wheels to Neighbors who Care, to being a great friend, to being the best wife and mother, she just did it. She was loyal to a fault, the best friend to all her friends, cared about everyone, and loved her family unconditionally. She passed away in Chandler, Arizona with all of her kids by her side on the evening of October 25, 2024.

Sandra Anderson was born on January 24, 1948, in St. Thomas, Ontario. Her father Frank Anderson was a World War II Veteran from Yorkshire, England, who immigrated to Canada after the war. Her mother, Helen Stone, was from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Frank and Helen met when Frank was at a training base for English pilots in Saskatoon during the war. They married, and settled in Ormstown, Quebec, where they raised Sandy and her sister Shirley. Sandy always talked about taking her family back to see where she grew up. Unfortunately, her Alzheimer’s disease took hold, and it never happened. Her kids plan to make a trek to Ormstown in her honor in the near future.

Sandy attended school in Ormstown and graduated in 1964. In Canada it was common to graduate high school at 16 years old. Following high school, she attended Graham’s Business College in Montreal, where she received her degree. In school she met some of her closest friends, including Lynne and Layne. They both made it a point to facetime Sandy as her Alzheimer’s continued to get worse, which was incredibly special for her. They all remained friends from a distance for their entire lives. While in Montreal Sandy B and her friends became Majorettes for the Montreal Alouettes, the American equivalent of cheerleaders. She was also a goalie on her hockey team. Unfortunately, her kids did not inherit her ability to skate, and so far, neither have her grandkids.

Sadly, Sandy’s love story was mentioned in her husband Bill’s obituary just over a year ago. Their love story is just so cool, it must be mentioned again. Sandy was working in England in 1968 as an au pair and her to be husband, Bill, was hitchhiking through Europe. They met on a train from Paris, France, to Madrid, Spain and immediately fell in love. Sandy always said that Bill hustled her. Apparently, there was just “Something about Sandy”. They were engaged in two weeks, married in a year, and spent the next 54 years having three children, and ultimately enjoying 7 grandchildren. Truly a love story you could write a book about.

Sandy dedicated her life to her husband and her family. There was literally nothing you couldn’t count on her for. Everything she did considered her family first. Her second career was as a travel agent. Everyone remembers “Sandy’s Travel Service. She loved helping her clients plan their dream vacations, hosted many fam trips for her travel agency, thoroughly enjoyed delivering tickets, and just talking travel.

Sandy was blessed with seven grandchildren, Halle, Ben and Edson in Arizona; Oscar and Owen in Michigan; and Emma and June in Fargo. She spent her retirement visiting them whenever possible, hosting them at her lake home and in her Arizona home, and watching their sports and activities every chance she could. They all loved their Grandma Sandy.

Sandy was a fiercely loyal friend. She loved her dear friends from Westwood, her neighbors at the lake, and of course the Mayville Mafia. Whether at the lake or in Arizona, Sandy and Bill and their special friends Karen and Gil made it a point to attend every Mayville Mafia event possible. Sandy was very blessed to have her best friend Karen by her side right up to her passing.

Sandy is survived by her children, son Brett (Laura) Brudvik, Chandler, Arizona, and grandkids Halle, Ben, and Edson; daughter Andrea (Robert Biedenharn) Brudvik, of Royal Oak, Michigan, and grandkids Oscar and Owen; son Brady (Casey) Brudvik, of Fargo, North Dakota, and grandkids Emma and June; Uncle Rowly and Cousin Sally; Brother in Law Bryan Waller, Niece Tanis Waller and Nephew Trevor (Amanda) Waller; Special In Laws Marlys (Fred Felber), Jerry (Celine) Brudvik, Dick (Susan) Brudvik, Jim (Arlene) Higgs, Owen (Nancy Johnson) and so many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her Husband, Bill; parents, Frank and Helen Anderson; Aunt Edie Cooper; and Sister Shirley Waller.

Sandy B, Mom, Ma, Grandma Sandy, whatever you called her, if you knew her you loved her. Thanks for giving us everything you had Mom, you will be forever loved and adored.

Memorial suggested to Lakes Crisis Center, 1339 Pelican Ln, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501. The family plans a Celebration of Life for Sandy this coming summer in early June 2025, where she can be laid to rest with her beloved husband Bill in the lakes country they both loved so much. Blessed be the memory of our beautiful “Sandy B”.

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