Nathalie Sparling (Trelford) Sandness, 98, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday November, 9, 2012 surrounded by her loving family at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Lester Park.
Sparling was born April 30, 1914 in Duluth. She graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1932. She graduated from Duluth State Teachers College and attended nurses training at St. Luke’s Hospital. She went on to teach in a one room schoolhouse at Mahtowa, Minnesota. Sparling married Norman Alvin Leonard Sandness in 1936. While a homemaker, Sparling continued her education at the University of Minnesota Duluth taking courses in education and reading, and substitute taught in the elementary grades for ISD 709. She was confirmed in and a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church.
Sparling will be remembered for her volunteer work in a number of organizations in the community, especially as a Sunday school teacher. She was a faithful member of Community Bible Study for 10 years. She was an avid walker and loved to read, cook, and was a loving person to all. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She truly embodied the saying: “above all Faith and Family.”
She is preceded in death by her parents George Sparling and Nathalie (Craig) Trelford; sisters Mary Anderson, Gayle Burchfield; twin brothers John and David Trelford, George Craig Trelford; and her husband Norman Sandness.
Survivors include her sister Elizabeth (Trelford) Long of California; three sons, John (Marcia) Sandness of Princeton British Columbia, Lynn (Patricia Maus) Sandness of Duluth, and James (Beret) Sandness of Export PA; two daughters, Elizabeth French of St. Paul, and Ann (Kenneth) Anderson of Duluth; grandchildren, Steven (Michelle) Anderson, John French, Brent Anderson, Carl (Dorothy) Sandness, Stephanie Maus-Sandness, David (Michaela) Sandness, Kristin, Jonathan and Katie Sandness; and great-grandchildren, Brittany and Thomas Anderson, Joel and Morgan Anderson, Jack, Amber, Ryan and Chase French and Matthew and Ginny Sandness, nieces and nephews and many friends.
The family would like to thank Dr. Carol Farchmin and Dr. Betsy Schwartz, the staff of Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Proctor and Lester Park, and the staff of St. Luke’s Hospice for the wonderful care she has received over the years.
A Private family grave site service will be Monday November 12, and a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials sent to First Presbyterian Church in Duluth.
To leave a memory of Sparling or words of support, please visit our website at www.bellbrothersfuneralhome.com
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