Sandra was born on January 1, 1947, in Willmar, Minnesota to Troy and Iva (Brush) Daniels. In 1977, she married the love of her life, John Lawrence, with whom she had one daughter, Wendy. Like many in her family, she worked in the medical field until a disability forced her from the field.

Her chance encounter with John came about through a well-intentioned co-worker, Carol, who also happened to be John’s sister-in-law. Carol brought her up from St. Paul to the family’s farmhouse in rural Wisconsin. Her first memory of John was of a tall silhouette of a man entering the farmhouse and his niece and nephew proclaiming “Uncle John! We brought you a girlfriend!” That moment remained etched in her memory, even as dementia stole other memories from her. Her other favorite memories that she often shared centered on her two grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Sandra expressed her love and friendship through deeds, typically relying on her baking skills to convey her affection. Many a Daniels family holiday was celebrated by many tins of homemade cookies and treats which were loaded into the family station wagon before heading to the Twin Cities. When the Lawrence side celebrated events, there was often a request for her deviled eggs.

After John passed, she resided briefly at Maple Ridge Care Center before relocating to Lyngblomsten in St. Paul, where she was able to enjoy her last months with her sisters, Sue and Nancy, and her brother, Mike. The reconnection with Sue and Nancy was especially meaningful to her.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Troy and Ivy, her brother, Scott, and her beloved husband, John.

She is survived by her sisters, Susan and Nancy, her brother, Michael, her daughter, Wendy, and her grandchildren.

Last Update: Apr 18, 2023 12:02 pm CDT