Sandra Gassman

Obituary of Sandra Jean Gassman

Sandra Jean Gassman (Sandy) went to heaven on Wednesday, March 23rd 2022 at the age of 65. Sandy passed peacefully and without pain finally surrendering to an 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was blessed by the presence of her three daughters and husband at her home in Chanhassen, MN.

Memorial Mass and Celebration of Sandy’s life will be held Thursday, March 31st at St. Therese Catholic Church in Deephaven, 18325 Minnetonka Blvd, Wayzata, MN 5539. Visitation 10 A.M. - 11 A.M. Service 11A.M. - 12 P.M. Lunch and social to follow.

Sandy was the daughter of Bruce and Arlene Hall. She was born in Minneapolis on August 30, 1956. She attended grade school in Minneapolis before her father transferred to Omaha. She graduated from Burke High School in 1974. Sandy attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Colorado in Denver during her college days. She married Nick Gassman on October 21, 1978, at St. John’s on the campus of Creighton University. The couple moved to Golden, CO shortly thereafter and Sandy became an Insurance Life Underwriter working for various organizations. Her beautiful family began with the arrival of Jessica in April of 1981 and then Rachael in November of 1984. Sandy settled into her true passion of being a mother and homemaker. Sandy and Nick moved to Chanhassen, Minnesota in January of 1987. The family became complete with the arrival of their third daughter, Rebecca, in January of 1989.

Sandy had a very deep understanding of life and how precious it truly is. She often reflected on the adage that time is short so we as a family must make it count. She followed her own advice as she lived by a creed of ‘I do not want to have things; I want all of us to have experiences and make memories together’. Following this passion, the family took many road trips across the country camping in all 50 states. She lived every day fully with excitement for life, enjoyment in the small things, peace with nature. A true earthbound Virgo - where nature heals everything in her spirit. You would find her mostly outside with never a dull moment in the day. Sandy saw natures beauty everywhere. She loved sunsets, the beaches and the mountains. But no place was more special to her than her beloved Thunder Lake. This was truly Sandy’s heaven on earth. Sandy was a nurturing mother. She groomed her children to flourish and facilitated their dreams and ambitions. She did whatever she could to make her children feel seen, heard and loved. Sandy was a caring and loving wife feeling they had a magical marriage for over 43 years. She demonstrated incredible strength and courage during her last months. When she was diagnosed with incurable and inoperative stage four pancreatic cancer, the doctors gave her 4-6 months with treatments. Sandy decided to forgo the suggested course of chemo and radiation treatments and elected to use holistic medicines as well as hospice services. Her amazing run of health and living lasting over 18 months. In the end, her body did not survive but we all know that the soul does. We need only to look to nature for her when we need to hear her. We honor this and will continue to open our eyes to the magic all around.

Loved by her family, Sandy is survived by her husband Nick, her daughters Jessica Carlson (Rheese) of Duluth, MN; Rachael Juliano (Phil) of Bloomington, MN and Rebecca Tatum (Jeff) of Fort Collins, CO. Five grandchildren; Kingsley and River Carlson; Emersyn, Luca and Marlo Juliano. Brother Steve Hall (Tracey) and her mother, Arlene Hall of Omaha, NE. and numerous nephews and nieces.

Sandy was preceded in death by her father, Bruce Hall.

A Memorial Tree was planted for Sandra
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Cremation Society Of Minnesota | Edina
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