Sandra J. Boyenga

To view a recording of Sandy's funeral service, please click the following link: View Funeral Webcast

SANDRA JEAN BOYENGA, age 57, found peace with family by her side on Thursday, January 7, 2021. She was born on April 1, 1963 in Rock Rapids, Iowa to Gertrude and Darrell Boyenga. She attended Ellsworth High School in Ellsworth, Minnesota and graduated in 1982. Sandy attended a post-secondary education in the Bakery Deli program at Pipestone Vo-Tech and graduated in 1985. After graduation Sandy moved to Mankato, Minnesota where she worked at Bonanza. Sandy then started working at Carlson Craft where she completed almost 32 years of service. Sandy made many lifelong friendships with coworkers and other acquaintances over the years.

Sandy was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age and she became very passionate about finding a cure for this disease. She spent many years organizing fundraising efforts for the American Diabetes walk through her “Boings Buddies” team. The team evolved over the years from Sandy and Deanna walking the first year to more friends and family joining over time to the tradition of the famous matching team “Boings Buddies” shirts. She enjoyed hosting her friends and family for the annual event and always had an amazing spread of food and treats.

Sandy was an avid walker and enjoyed walking on the roads in her neighborhood. In her spare time she loved using her creative side and talent to make scrapbooks filled with wonderful memories, cross stitching, crocheting and other various crafts. She also enjoyed trying out new recipes to bring to the farm, baking delicious goodies, scrapbook gatherings, trips with her friends and reading. Her nieces were also a big part of her life and she enjoyed watching their sporting events and attending large milestone events in their lives.

She is lovingly remembered by her parents, Darrell and Gertrude Boyenga; brother, Doug (Molly Ann) Boyenga; sister, Deanna (Tom) Verdick; two nieces, Mollie (Chris) Wagar and Kayla Verdick; friend, Jim Wannarka; and many other relatives and friends. She will be dearly missed.