Rose Marie Sandberg

Rose Sandberg, 93, of Crooks, SD entered into rest peacefully Saturday, December 17, 2011 at Bethany Lutheran Home in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am Thursday, December 22, 2011 at Benton Lutheran Church, rural Crooks.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:30 to 8:00 pm Wednesday at the church.

Rose Marie was born to parents David and Sarah (Taylor) Lundin December 30, 1917 in Atlanta Georgia. Her parents passed away when she was young and was raised by her grandmother in Turin, Iowa. She knew she wanted to be a nurse from the age of ten and attended nursing school at St. Joseph’s in Sioux City, Iowa. Rose graduated in 1936 and served in the US Army from 1940 to 1942 as a nurse in Missouri, Maryland, Oklahoma and California. Rose also held Bachelor of Science degrees in psychology and education from Augustana College.

Rose moved to South Dakota in 1954 and worked briefly at McKennan Hospital before starting a 30 year nursing career at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital until retiring. She also student taught at Washington High School. On June 12, 1964 she married Leonard Sandberg at Benton Lutheran Church. They lived on their farm for their 42 years of marriage and Rose continued living on the farm for her remaining years. She had four children, Jim, Keith, Genell and Lori.

Rose was an accomplished and gifted artist and loved to work with ceramics and porcelain. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, Leonard on numerous cruises and road trips with friend, June Peterson. Aside from her love and devotion to family, in her most recent years she was fond of exercising at Curves and community volunteering at church. She was also active in volunteering for the March of Dimes and a lifetime member of the American Legion in Hartford.

Grateful for having shared her life are her four children, Jim Ecker, Sioux Falls; Genell Sandberg and husband Eddie, Sioux City, IA; Keith Sandberg, Sioux Falls; Lori Clardy, Santa Rosa, CA; five grandchildren, Stacy Sandberg; Taylor Clardy; Connor Clardy; Jesse Dunn and Zoe Dunn; and three great-grandchildren, Brittany Sandberg; Ryan Sandberg and Heather Zach; many nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

Rose was preceded in death by her loving husband, Leonard September 1, 2003; parents; and brother, David (Bud) Lundin

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Benton Lutheran Church Parking Lot Fund.