Esther Sandau

Esther Johanna Rose Sandau, age eighty-eight, resident of Alexandria, MN, entered into eternal rest on October 27, 2019 at Grand Arbor. Esther was born May 31, 1931, in Krain Township, Stearns County on the family farm near Holdingford, MN, to John and Bertha (Hollenbach) Stern. She received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism June 21, 1931 and later affirmed her faith in the rite of Confirmation May 27, 1945 at Ebenezer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Albany, MN. She graduated from Holdingford High School in 1949. For a time, she helped her parents on the family farm. Later Esther graduated from the Professional Business Institute in Minneapolis. She worked at Edina, MN and at North Clinic in Robbinsdale, MN until her marriage to Elmer Sandau. Elmer’s job with the Soo Line Railroad brought the couple to Alexandria in 1968. Esther then worked at the Alexandria Clinic until the birth of their two children. Esther felt privileged that she could stay home until her family was grown. She returned to work with Douglas County Public Health Nursing and worked there until her retirement. Esther was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church. Her hobbies included doing things that she could do with her family – fishing, gardening, walking and traveling.

Esther is survived by two children, Michael and his wife, Kay, of Spicer, MN and Michelle and her husband, Nicholas Torborg, of Champlin, MN. There are two grandchildren, Adam Sandau and Andrew Sandau, and several nieces and nephews. Esther joins her loved ones that have gone before; her Father, Mother, husband, Elmer Sandau, a Sister, Nephew, three brothers-in-law, and other relatives and friends. Blessed be her memory among us.

A funeral service will be held 11:30 AM, Friday, November 1, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN. Reverend Terry Finnern and Reverend Don Wilke officiated. Burial will be at Kinkead Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory.