Sandra Lee (Pettit) Zander was born on January 8, 1943, in Cokato and raised in Howard Lake, Minn.
After graduating from high school, she moved to the Twin Cities to work. Sandy met Leroy Zander, on leave from the Marines, during a mutual family event. When Leroy was recovering in Chicago after being wounded in Vietnam, Sandy traveled many times from Minnesota to Chicago to care for him. They later married on October 15, 1966, settling in Spring Valley, Minn., where they raised their family.
While in Spring Valley, Sandy worked at Home Federal and Himle Insurance, as well as helped run the family jewelry store. After the kids graduated from high school, Leroy and Sandy relocated to Arizona, residing and working in Prescott and Prescott Valley for over 30 years. Sandy continued to work in the insurance industry, obtaining her license and becoming an insurance agent. After retirement, the couple ran a small home business repairing clocks. Sandy enjoyed journeying out together to meet with customers across the greater Prescott region.
Sandy was a loving and caring wife and mother throughout her life. She was a very creative person and enjoyed many crafting hobbies such as rosemaling, calligraphy, sewing, crocheting, and knitting. Sandy taught herself to use knitting machines and created many pieces that she would often donate. She passed on her creativity and skills to her children and grandchildren.
On March 22, 2024, Sandy passed away at 81 after an illness. Her legacy lives on – a symphony of love, sacrifice, and resilience. A celebration of life service will honor her spirit in Minnesota later this year.
Sandy is survived by her husband of 57 years, Leroy, sisters Barbara (Tom) Schmieg and Ruth (Gary) Schmieg, brother-in-law Lowell (Jeanne) Zander, children Jason (Marjorie) Zander and Jill (Keith) Tutewohl, grandchildren Michael, Eric and Dakota Zander, Tyler (Aubrie) Klotz, and Adam Tutewohl; great-grandchild Kaison Klotz, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Sandy is preceded in death by her parents Leland “Ole” and Dorothy Pettit; siblings Lucy (Myron) Lahr and Leland Jr. “Sonny” (Doris) Pettit.
Paul Israel says
Leroy, I was searching for “Leroy Zander+Minnesota” online and discovered you had lost Sandy. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.