Sandra K. Schaefer, 80, Kasson

Sandra Kaye (Andersen) Schaefer of Kasson, died December 26, 2021, surrounded by family and under the care of hospice at her daughter Kristine’s home in Rosemount.

Born Aug. 24, 1941, Sandy was the daughter of Hazel and Norman Andersen of West Concord. She graduated from West Concord High School in 1959 and studied at Mankato State University. In 1961, she married Larry Schaefer of West Concord and together they raised six children: Lori Schaefer of Bar Harbor, Maine; Lisa Sherrington of Lake City; Tom Schaefer (Amy) of Galesville, Wis.; Tim Schaefer (Dani) of Carlsbad, Calif.; Tracy Schaefer of Layfette, Minn.; and Kristine Lynam (Ben) of Rosemount.

Sandy and Larry later divorced.

Sandy is survived and celebrated by her six children, 12 grandchildren–Josh (Alison), Jessica, Jonathan, Tucker (Diana), Amanda (Josh), Marissa, Makenzie, Kelsie, Quentin, Jacob, Sophie, and Lexi; and two great grandchildren–Adelaide and Parker; as well as her brother Mike Andersen of West Concord.

Sandy retired from Dodge County Environmental Services in December 2016 where she worked for 31 years as a Waste Management Coordinator/Accountant–a job she truly loved. Prior to that she held several bookkeeping and office management roles, in addition to her tireless work raising a family and working on the farm.

But without question, the roles she loved best were being a mom and grandma. Sandy loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her final days, she was able to spend quality time with family and she never stopped caregiving.

Sandy enjoyed gardening, cooking, decorating, and entertaining–all things she perfected throughout her life. She also enjoyed shopping and exploring with friends. Although she described herself as “a homebody,” she loved to travel to the places her kids lived and enjoyed helping them get settled into their new homes.

In addition to her family, Sandy leaves behind many close friends from high school and later in life. During her retirement years, she enjoyed reconnecting and building new memories with many of these friends.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, January 14, 2022, at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna. The family requests that COVID protocol be observed: Masks should be worn at all times while in the funeral home along with social distancing. A private, family funeral and burial will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be directed by the family to some of Sandy’s favorite charities including: Minnesota Hospice, Faith in Action of Dodge County, and Beginning Experience of Rochester/Southeastern Minnesota.