Sandra Kay Nelson, 79
Sandra Kay Nelson passed away at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Feb. 24, 2020. She was born Aug. 20, 1941, in Dixon to Hugh and Mariane Heyne.
She grew up all over the Pacific Northwest and enjoyed her time in Bremerton, Wash., Cottage Grove, Ore., Clark Fork, Idaho and Libby. She spoke fondly of her time in the different places she grew up and even revisited them during her lifetime.
Sandy graduated from Libby High School in 1959. She enjoyed her school years and all of her wonderful school friends.
Sandra kept in touch with many of her high school friends throughout her life and had a special bond with the wonderful ladies that remained in Libby. Lunches, coffee and the occasional dinner with these special ladies were the highlight of her day or week. The occasions were marked by good laughs and a lot of smiles.
Sandy spent her early adult life in Libby working at Millers Clothing Store and Montgomery Ward. Sandy also worked at Mountain Meadows, Shoes and Socks as well as Care Bear Daycare, where she served as a daycare attendant, during her career.
Sandy married Pete Nelson and they raised two children together with love and encouragement. Sandy did all the motherly things she could while her children participated in activities when they were young. Sandy made sure she was there when her children arrived home from school. More times than not, they brought neighborhood kids with them.
Sandy was active in her children’s activities as well, serving as a Cub Scout leader, PTA member, Little League mother and a fundraiser for many causes. Sandy followed her children’s activities through their school years and then followed her grandchildren through their school years. She enjoyed watching and encouraging all the kids participating in activities. She wanted them all to succeed, not only in their activities, but in life in general.
Sandy was very skilled at sewing, crochet and knitting. She made clothes, hats, gloves, scarves, adult afghans, but her specialty was making baby afghans and baby booties. She made them for fundraisers, gifts and special occasions. They remain cherished items.
Sandy is survived by one sibling, Budd Heyne (Nancy); two children, JD (Tammie) and Kasey (Bill-deceased); four grandchildren, William Reichel (Devon), Rhiannon Reichel, Amanda Peterson (Robert), Heidi Nelson; 12 nieces and nephews; and her beloved furry children, Rocky, Barkley and Houston.
Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Mariane Heyne; husband, Pete Nelson; sisters, Joan Hawkins (Bill-deceased) and Vicki Schneider (Jim); brothers, Phil, Don and Richard Heyne.
Services were held Feb. 29, 2020, at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby. A reception and graveside services followed at Milnor Lake Cemetery near Savage Lake.
Memorials can be made to Wings P.O. Box 1160 Libby, MT 59923
Sandy’s family would like to thank Libby Volunteer Ambulance Service, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center emergency staff and Kalispell Regional Medical Center for all their effort and the care they provided. We know mom/grandma received the best care possible and all efforts were made to keep her comfortable and at peace.
Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.