Andrea Sandberg Obituary

Andrea Jean Sandberg, age 81, of St. James, Minnesota, passed away July 30, 2025 at the Fairview Southdale Hospital, in Edina, Minnesota.

Memorial service will be held at 12, noon, on Monday, August 11, 2025 at Augustana Lutheran Church, St. James with visitation one hour prior. Livestream of the service will be available on the Augustana Lutheran Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/p/AugustanaEast-Sveadahl-Ministries-AES-Ministries-100064418572904/. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Andrea was the daughter of the late Andrew “Butch” and Helen (Hruby) Bohnert born on March 31, 1944 at the Mankato Hospital. She was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic church, which began the lifelong commitment to her faith.

Andrea attended the St. James schools where she met her husband, John “Keith” Sandmeyer. They were married in 1960 and were blessed with 5 children, Mike, Bryan, Dennis, Alan, and Laura. They later divorced. Andrea then moved back to St. James where she raised her 5 children and worked at the Crescent Cafe. While working at the cafe, she met her now husband, Lloyd Sandberg. They were united in marriage on April 19, 1975, at the Augustana Lutheran Church, in St. James, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with 2 daughters, Jennifer and Marsha.

Andrea always had a love for children and worked as a daycare provider for many years. She opened her heart and her home to numerous children and their families. Still to this day, having contact with many of the children and families she cared for. She then took a position at Swift Eckrich, where she worked for 13 years until she was forced to retire due to a disability. Andrea volunteered at MCHS – St. James as a greeter, where she had such a passion for helping the people that came through the doors. She wanted to let everyone know that they were important, and she always took the time to listen.

Andrea had a pure and tender loving heart that had an intense love for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She always had time to listen, spend time with, or attend one of their many events. Nothing gave Andrea more joy than to spend her time with family and friends. Her home was the heart of many, many gatherings centered around her cooking and baking. It gave Andrea such joy bringing her family and friends together for a home cooked meal. Everyone enjoyed her cooking and looked forward to when she made her “small” batches of soup, or her famous potato salad. Andrea didn’t know how to make a small batch of soup so phone calls would go out to family, friends, and neighbors to come get a bowl of soup to take home. Andrea also enjoyed baking bread, pies, desserts, and making her famous jams and jellies to share with all.

In her earlier years, Andrea enjoyed bowling with her husband. Andrea bowled in a couples and women’s league for several years where she made many lifelong friends. She looked forward to going to the end of the year bowling tournaments with, “The girls.” They may not have won many trophies but a lot of fun was had by all!

In her spare time, Andrea enjoyed gardening and canning many fruits and vegetables. She spent quiet times reading and doing crosswords puzzles on her swing outside on the deck while watching the birds, squirrels, and looking at her flowers in her gardens, where the occasional hummingbird would visit. She also enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino with friends and family.

Andrea is survived by her husband of 50 years, Lloyd Sandberg; children, Michael (special friend, Lori West) Sandmeyer, Bryan (Robyn) Sandmeyer, Dennis (special friend, Sue King) Sandmeyer, Alan Sandmeyer, Laura Sandmeyer, Jennifer (special friend, Chad Sammons) Juliar, and Marsha (Lenny) Dick; grandchildren, Molly, John, Micheal, Rebecca, Tyler, Kyle, Christopher, Megan, Braiden, Cassi, Kadin, Ezra, and KC; 9 great-grandchildren; siblings, MaryKay (Douglas) Peterson, Kathy Amyotte, Robert (Jasmin) Bohnert, Richard (Diane) Bohnert, and Cindy Kueker, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Andrea was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew “Butch” and Helen Bohnert; in-laws, Arthur and Mabel Sandberg; son-in-law, Dean Juliar; grandson, Matthew Sandmeyer; sisters-in-law, Marion Anderson, Irene Sandberg, and Doris Bohnert; brothers-in-law, Dieter Fromberg, Mark Amyotte, and Ronald Kueker.

A loving heart, tender and kind.

What beautiful memories you leave behind.