Sandra Carlson-Otter

SANDRA CARLSON-OTTER was born on August 14, 1949 to Jake and Sylvia (Zeinstra) Overgaauw in Pipestone, MN. She was raised on farms near Hatfield, MN, north of Pipestone, and near Holland, MN. She received her education at the Christian School in Holland until its closing and then attended school in Pipestone. In 1966, the family moved to a farm near Ruthton, MN. Sandy graduated from Ruthton High School with the class of 1967. She then furthered her education by studying banking. Upon completion of her degree she went to work for Rochester Bank in Rochester, MN before returning to Pipestone where she then worked at First National Bank. Sandy later co-owned Carlson Surge Dairy Equipment in Pipestone, MN. In 1985, Sandy enrolled at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN. She eventually received her degree and became a Certified Public Accountant. She became self-employed as a CPA in 1993 and worked for many businesses, including Mark's General Machine Shop and the Pipestone Country Club. On April 22, 1995 Sandy was united in marriage to Mark Otter in Las Vegas, NV. In spring of 2012, she retired from her full-time career. On Friday, November 15, 2013 Sandy passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 64 years, three months and one day.

Sandy was raised in Christian Reformed Church in Holland, MN where she was baptized and confirmed. She was a member of the Pipestone Fire Department Auxiliary for 15 years where she proudly served as President for several years. She loved cooking, golfing, camping, completing crossword and soduko puzzles, and was an avid reader especially when it involved reading to her grandchildren. Sandy enjoyed gardening and was particularly fond of her vegetable garden. She also was a wine connoisseur and enjoyed visiting wineries with family and friends. She was a devoted Vikings fan who rarely missed watching a game and occasionally enjoyed a road trip with friends or family to watch a game in the metrodome. Mostly, she loved spending time with her family and friends - however, not too many at once. She will be remembered most for the love of her family and friends.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Mark; five children: Stacey (fianc, Rick Peterson) Carlson of Oakdale, MN, Mike Carlson of Pipestone, MN, Darcey (Anthony Bellack) Otter-Bellack of Brandon, SD, Kari (Phillip) Westby of New London, MN, and Dawn (Robert) Arends of Marshall, MN; four grandchildren (with two more on the way), Thomas Smith, Charley Peterson, Quentin Arends, and Rylen Arends; and two half-brothers, Jason (Stacey) Overgaauw of Lake Wilson, MN and James Overgaauw of Ruthton, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Sylvia Overgaauw.

Blessed be Sandy's memory!