Sandra Marie Campbell, age 75, of Richfield, passed away late Monday evening, August 18, 2014, with her loving family by her side at her Richfield home. A Celebration of Life Service is Monday, August 25, 2014, at 12:00 Noon, with visitation from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake. Pastor Doug Allen will preside. Sandy will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
It was a cold winter day in Minneapolis on December 22, 1938 when Russell Lee and Clara Marie (Sampson) Neuman received an early Christmas present with the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Sandra Marie. Sandy loved growing up with her siblings, Russell and Patricia. Sandy attended West High School where she made many life-long friends.
After graduation, Sandy entered the work force. A few years into her career she began working at Western Electric. One night she attended a work event at a local bowling alley where she met the love of her life, Jay Campbell. The two began dating, and their love grew. Jay and Sandy exchanged wedding vows on May 7, 1960 at the Little Brown Church in Iowa. They were blessed with four beautiful daughters, Penny, Jill, Wendy and Beth. Sandy and Jay also had a son, Stephen Jay born on April 15, 1971. Stephen became one of God’s special angels in heaven on April 28, 1971.
As a family, the Campbells took many camping trips throughout the years. They would take their pop-up camper around to all of the state parks, and spent many weekends at the KOA in Cokato, MN. In the early 80’s, Sandy and Jay bought a cabin on Big Bear Lake in Wisconsin, which became a popular destination for their extended family and friends each summer weekend.
Throughout the years, Sandy worked for many different companies. She was a skilled secretary and even had a job working as a clinical secretary at the VA Hospital. She enjoyed her work there, but eventually moved on to work at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. She was there for 20+ years and made a lot of close friends working as an inventory clerk in the maintenance department.
After retirement, Sandy and Jay headed down south for the winters. They spent a few winters in different areas around the south west before settling in Texas. They bought a mobile home and settled in Paradise Park where they made many new friends. Sandy was always hosting family and friends who would come to visit to escape the cold Minnesota winters. Sandy and Jay spent most of the winter down south, but Sandy would always make it home to spend Christmas with her girls and grandchildren.
Family was the most important thing in Sandy’s life. She was always buying special things for her kids, her son-in-laws and the grandkids. Everything she bought was purchased with love (and for a great bargain!). Sandy was the model of generosity. She was known to her entire family as the “Queen of Greeting Cards.” No matter what the holiday (birthday, anniversary, Halloween) she’d send a personal card to each of them.
Sandy was a kind woman who was always happy and completely selfless. She showered her family with love and will always be remembered as a loving wife, protective mother, and generous grandma.
Left to honor Sandy’s life and mourn the death is her husband of 54 years, Jay; daughters, Penny (Jeff) Zalesky, their children, Alex and Tyler; Jill (John) Zalesky, their children, Mike and Stephanie (Justin) Ottinger; Wendy (Julian) Cordle, their children Jacob, Trent, and Jeremiah; Beth (Mike) Swartz, their children, Mallory and Brenna; step-mother, Lois Neuman; brother-in-law, Richard Sewich; sister-in-law, Jan Atwood; other loving relatives and devoted friends.
There to welcome Sandy to Heaven is her infant son,Stephen Jay Campbell; parents; brother, Russell Neuman; sister, Patricia Sewich; brother-in-law, Jerry Atwood.
Pall bearers for Sandy are Jeff Zalesky, John Zalesky, Mike Swartz, Julian Cordle, Alex Zalesky and Justin Ottinger.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation proudly serves the Campbell family.
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Lisa Phillips
Jill, Stephanie, Mike, John & Family…I am so sad to get this news and know that I am thinking of all of you. I know your Mom & Grandma was a very big, special part of your life and she will be missed. Remember all of the years with her especially the last few that you all got together for special family gatherings – so glad you all made those memories because I know they were special to her too. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. Lisa & Dave Phillips & family.
Carol Scanlon
I am so sorry for your loss. Sandy was always such a kind and thoughtful person. Whenever I think of Sandy I think of her smile and her wonderful sense of humor. She was so proud of her kids and grandchildren and her face would light up when she would talk about them. She adored Jay and it was obvious that Jay adored her. I feel lucky to have known her and the way she lived her life will never be forgotten. The celebration of their 50th anniversary was wonderful and all of you did such a lovely job honoring your parent’s marriage – she was so happy and proud that day . She will be sorely missed by all of us! Love to all of you!
LaRayne Moran
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Paul Scanlon
Jay, Penny, Jill, Wendy, Beth and family – We were so sad to hear about Sandy. We all lost a bright ray of sunshine this week with her passing. I will always remember Sandy’s upbeat, positive personality, perpetual smile, funny laugh and her good natured kidding of Jay. 🙂 I still have pleasant memories of her and Patty babysitting us when we were very young and taking me ice skating once when I was visiting Grandma and Grandpa. She was a very special person and I feel very fortunate that I knew her in my life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all today.
Sheryl Smith
So sorry for your loss, read this brought back memories of going camping with you in Cokato, seem like such a long road trip from Ruchfield, lol, Sandy was so kind and happy all the time and sweet! My heart goes out to all of you, thought and prayers are with you in this hard time.
Alyson Bennett
Jill, I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Kathleen Lucken
Jay and girls,
I was so sorry to learn of Sandy’s passing ; her good friend Nora Ivory shared that news with me. The world lost one of the good ones this week; I remember Sandy’s wonderful smile and laugh and love of life. Although we didn’t see one another much in later years, we exchanged Christmas cards and were able to stay in touch that way, plus news through Nora.
My thoughts and prayers are all with you, and now Sandy is at peace with our Heavenly Father.
God Bless you all.
Patricia Grensing
So sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. She was such a lovely person. Was so happy to get to know her in Texas where we were part of her Texas Family. She will be greatly missed – that always smiling face and never a complaint.
Bob & Mary Carter
Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. Your mom was one of the first and nicest person we met when we moved to the neighborhood back in 1972. We will miss her smiling face and never forget what a great lady she was!
Bob & Mary Carter
Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. Your mom was one of the first and nicest people we met when we moved to the neighborhood back in 1972. We will miss her smiling face and never forget what a great lady she was!
Bette Gamboni
Beth and family — sending you heartfelt sympathy at this time of such loss and grief. God’s peace to all of you.
Paula Neuman-Scott
Sandy was one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known. We will miss her laughing and smiling face. She could get pretty ruffled when she was protecting her children though. She loved you all so much.
Lisa Carlson
I am so sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. She was an amazing woman who will be missed by many. My prayers go out to all of Sandy’s friends and family.
Tayla Jade
Wow I never knew her but if I did I would say this to her “I will miss You when your gone because you are amazing to the world and god god bels every body even you sandy campbell
Lee Steiner
I am so sorry for your loss Steph! You had a wonderful relationship, I am so happy she could be at your wedding, she could see how happy you are and that is what she wanted!!!
Molly Johnson
Mom Campbell will be so missed! She was such a funny, kind lady.
I will always remember her. She had such a warm heart.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you my friends Bethy & Wendy and your families and all of the family members. Our heart breaks for Jay as he has lost his partner in life.
God grant you all peace in this time of sadness and remembrance of an amazing lady!
Kerri Kuhn
You are in my thoughts and prayers, Wendy, and your entire family as well. May your memories be your comfort, along with the hugs of family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss.
nancy Parrish
Jay, My deepest condolences to you and your family at the loss of your wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was one of a kind. Every time that I make those wonderful breakfast rolls and that egg bake that you guys made in Texas I will think of her. God Bless all of you.
Brittany, Rob & Noah Schug
Dear Jill, John, Mikey & my best friend Steph, I’m so sorry for your loss – thinking of all of you during this difficult time. You all have a guardian angel watching over you; Sandy was such a beautiful soul. Please let me know if there is anything we can do for you guys! I love you guys!
Nate Wills, csc
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss, Campbell girls. When Nick and I heard about your mom’s death we recounted how much of an impact she had on our young lives at the cabin. She was always upbeat, quick to smile and laugh, and had a contagious energy. I’m sure you all will miss her terribly. Please know of my thoughts and prayers for you all. Love and blessings!