Sandra Evans

Sandra “Sandy” Kathryn Evans (née Bergstrom), devoted wife, mother of three, and grandmother of one, died peacefully in her home in Red Wing, MN on December 8, 2024 surrounded by her husband of 48 years/friend of 61 years, Patrick, and her three children.

 Sandy is survived by her husband, Patrick of Red Wing, MN; her children, Kristin (Derek) Ebel of Huxley, IA, Rachel Evans (Charlie Vaubel) of Minneapolis, MN, James (Emily) Evans of Burnsville, MN; and her cherished grandson, Ben Evans of Burnsville. She is also survived by her brothers, Joseph Bergstrom (Andi Galatowitsch) of Eagan, MN, Patrick (Tiffany) Bergstrom of Burnsville, MN, Kevin Bergstrom of Burnsville, MN, brother-in-law Jeffrey Anderson of Rosemount, MN, and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. 

 Sandy was born on August 5, 1949 to James Richard “Dick” and Helen Virgina “Gini” Bergstrom in Minneapolis, MN. The eldest of five, Sandy soon welcomed four younger siblings: Joe, Pat, Kevin, and Michele. She truly loved being an older sister; doting on her siblings by taking them on vacation to celebrate high school graduation, lending her fancy sports car for prom, and naming her baby sister, Michele, for the 1965 song she loved, “Michelle My Belle,” by The Beatles. Sandy graduated from Burnsville High School in 1968.

 After graduating from Saint Paul Technical Institute in 1969, Sandy went to work for Northwest Airlines in flight payroll and loved hopping last-minute flights to Europe with girlfriends, even visiting Brussels and picking up lace she later wore for her wedding.

 In the summer of 1975, Sandy was visiting her parents and reconnected with her childhood neighbor and burgeoning airline pilot, Pat Evans, who also happened to be home visiting his parents across the street. Sandy told Pat she wanted to buy a bike, and he offered to come along and help, thus becoming their first date. They fell in love, and were engaged on March 11, 1976, and married at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savage, MN on October 15, 1976. Pat and Sandy eventually welcomed Kristin Anna in 1981, Rachel Seon-Kyeong in 1986, and James William in 1987.

 After moving from Chaska, MN to Cannon Falls, MN in 1990 Sandy found an opportunity to volunteer in the office for the Cannon Valley Trail and was eventually hired as an employee. She loved the work and the people and stayed until retiring in 2017. Along with working for the trail, Sandy was passionate about volunteering in her kids’ classrooms (and eventually in classrooms in which daughter Kristin taught), traveling with Pat and friends (especially to warm places like Mexico and the Caribbean), gardening, visiting Disney with her sister Michele and family, and reading. Above all else, Sandy loved spending time with her family and especially her grandson, Ben, who brought her immense pride and joy.

 Sandy’s family welcomes you to attend the funeral celebrating her life on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11 AM at the Church of Saint Joseph in Red Wing, MN followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery and a luncheon at the church. Memorials in Sandy’s name can be sent to the Cannon Valley Trail.  Arrangements by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.