Sandra J. Gjerdahl, 91

North Mankato – Sandra Jean Gjerdahl, known to family and friends as Sandy, passed away peacefully and without pain on Sept. 18, 2026, in North Mankato, Minnesota. She was 91 years old.

Sandy was born on July 16, 1935, in Chaska, Minnesota, to Gladys and Elford Schimelpfenig. The oldest of four children, she grew up in Chaska and remained proud of her German heritage and her family’s deep roots in Carver County. She is survived by her sister Shirley Kuerschner, brother Alan Schimelpfenig, and sister Karen “Amy” Johnson. Her parents preceded her in death.

Sandy is survived by her husband Richard “Dick” Gjerdahl whom she met while attending Mankato State University, where she earned her teaching degree.

They married on Thanksgiving Day in 1956 and shared nearly 70 years of marriage. Together they raised three daughters: Anne Kusilek, married to Jeff Kusilek, of Dallas, Wisconsin; Kristin Dahl, married to Jeff Dahl, of Saint Paul, Minnesota; and Ruth Vetter, married to Tim Vetter, of Kasota, Minnesota. Sandy is also survived by ten granddaughters, one grandson, and nineteen great-grandchildren.

Sandy’s working life took many paths, but education, farming, sales, family, and community were recurring themes. She began her career as an educator in the Waldorf-Pemberton school district. She and Dick later spent ten years farming in the Minnesota River Valley near Judson, raising purebred Charolais and Maine Anjou beef cattle.

Sandy was very much a partner in the farm operation. She was known for her meticulous record keeping and for keeping farm workers well fed with tasty, hearty meals. During those years, she was also an active 4-H Club leader and worked at Nicollet Public School as the Title I Coordinator.

When Sandy and Dick left farming, Sandy embarked on a second career in sales. She began as an advertising copywriter at KBEW Radio in Blue Earth, Minnesota, and eventually joined the station’s sales team. Her ability to connect with people from all types of businesses served her particularly well. She later became a sales representative for Newton Manufacturing Company, an advertising specialties company based in Iowa. Her work with Newton took her to Costa Rica and resulted in a steady supply of “Newt” products finding their way to family members.

After Dick retired in 2000, the two moved to a home on Hammil Lake near Drummond in northwest Wisconsin. Sandy continued working in sales for several years before retiring. She loved life in the Northwoods, especially the opportunity to welcome family and friends to the lake. After 14 years at Hammil Lake, Sandy and Dick moved to Mankato, where they were able to spend even more time attending the sporting events and activities of their grandchildren.

Family was at the center of Sandy’s life, and she had many interests that she enthusiastically shared with those around her. She was an avid reader and earned a degree in Library Science. In retirement, she served on the Drummond Public Library Board. Every grandchild could count on receiving a carefully selected book from Sandy at Christmas.

She was also an unabashed dog lover, particularly of the succession of black Labradors she and Dick shared throughout their marriage. Sandy firmly believed that every child needed a dog as a companion.

Her family heritage was another source of pride. Sandy loved attending reunions at the historic Schimelpfenig family farm in Carver County, a farm that has been in the family for approximately 170 years. She also embraced Dick’s Norwegian heritage, learning to make lefse while firmly drawing the line at lutefisk.

Sandy loved sports and enjoyed attending live sporting events at every level. She was especially proud to watch her daughter Ruth compete in track. After moving back to Mankato, she enjoyed following the sporting activities of her local granddaughters. She was a lifelong Minnesota Twins fan and, at one time, could keep a mental roster of her favorite major league players–selected by looks, not necessarily talent. Joe Mauer was her catcher.

Those who knew Sandy will remember her sharp wit, her curiosity, and her willingness and ability to talk about almost anything. They will remember her as a woman who could connect with people, whether in a classroom, on a farm, in a sales meeting, at a ballgame, or around the kitchen table. And they will certainly remember her cooking, especially her American and German potato salads.

Sandy leaves behind a large and loving family, along with many friends whose lives she touched over the years. She will be deeply missed.

A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held at a later date.