Obituary of Shirley I. Sandmann

Shirley Sandmann, age 88, passed away after being hospitalized at the U of M Fairview Hospital from complications for a medical emergency. A graveside service will be held for family at Fort Snelling Monday, November 23, 2015. There will be several celebrations of Shirley's long life at a future date. Shirley was born on November 2, 1927 in Kentire Township, Redwood County Minnesota to Merl and Ione Starr. She graduated salutatorian from Winnebago High School in 1946 and went on to get her teaching degree from Mankato State. It was there that she met her husband Armin Sandmann. After marrying in 1950, the couple moved to Wells, Minnesota for teaching jobs and finally settled in Mankato until 1990 raising their two children, Connie and Jason. Shirley loved children and was an excellent educator. After retirement, Shirley and Armin built their lake home on Big Bass Lake near Outing, Minnesota where she remained an active member of the community well into her 70's, at which time she added St. Cloud as her home away from home. Shirley loved time with her family, socializing with her many friends, being close to nature, spending winters in Gulf Shores, AL, painting, and listening to music. Shirley is survived by her children, Connie Jo Sandmann (Mark Scholer) of St. Cloud, MN and Jason Alan Sandmann (Mary Rivers) of Mankato, MN; grandchildren Micah Scholer, Jamison Scholer, Abby Doerr, Regan Sandmann, and Lydia Sandmann; great grandchildren, Lincoln Sandmann and Cecil Armin Sandmann. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Armin Allan Sandmann; and sister, Arlie Keith. Special thanks to the compassionate staff at the U of M Hospital! In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Shirley's favorite charities - The Salvation Army and your local Food Shelf