Ann Dorothy Sandberg

Ann Dorothy Sandberg, age 91, died early morning Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Ecumen Pathstone assisted living in Mankato, MN.

Ann was the 4th of 12 children born to John & Tillie (Ament) Boyer in Wadena, MN, on February 6, 1935. She attended St. Ann's Catholic grade school and graduated from Wadena High School, class of 1953, lettering 2 years in Girls Basketball and being a lead in a class play. She was a Girl Scout and as a senior went to Washington D.C. Ann then graduated St. Catherine's College, Department of Nursing and began her nursing career as an RN in surgery at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Paul, MN.

While at St. Catherine's she met her future sister-in-law, Mary Joe Sandberg who introduced Ann to her brother Richard (Dick) L. Sandberg. They were later married at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wadena, MN on Sept. 14, 1957. They raised 3 children, Lisa, Sara, and John. They were later blessed with 7 grandchildren.

Ann was an RN at the Janesville Nursing Home while the kids were little but then became the trusted appointee bookkeeper by her father-in-law, Lloyd Sandberg for the Arnoldt Furniture & Funeral Home in Janesville and later the Sandberg Funeral Home in Waseca. These businesses could not have made it without Ann's vital work that was mostly done under the radar of the public eye. This was right down to the making of chocolate covered cherries put in gift boxes at Christmas for all the businesses and church staff that worked with Arnoldt & Sandberg's. She was an active member of the Janesville Chamber of Commerce.

In her free time as a student nurse, Ann learned to play bridge taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph and continued to play bridge for over 70 years in Janesville and Waseca. Ann also sewed clothing, baptismal dresses, Barbie clothing, and taught the kids to sew. She was active in both the children's girl scout troops and cub scouts. She had recovered & repainted wicker furniture that was over 100 yrs old from the Arnoldt grandparents and enjoyed keeping these pieces in shape with her son John. Ann and Dick raised their 3 oldest grandchildren Gracie, Matt, and Tillie while they were in elementary and junior high and loved having them, supporting their school and sports activities. But Ann's greatest joy was being at their Lake Francis cabin with her family, especially with the grandchildren.

Ann is survived by 2 children: Lisa Tan and Sara Sandberg (Tim Togstad); 5 grandchildren: Grace Tan (Matt Bierbauer), Matt Tan, Tillie Tan, Jack Sandberg, and Ruthie Sandberg; 3 sisters: Julianna Geiser, Kathy (Vern) Brust, Jane (Larry) Geiser; 3 sisters-in-law: Barb Boyer, Linda Boyer, Suzanne (Duane) Koehler, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard (Dick), son John Sandberg, grandson Colin Donahue, granddaughter Devan Donahue; 3 sisters & 5 brothers & their spouses: Betty (Freddie) Harthmann, Rosemary (Bart) Stevens, Bob (Rose Marie) Boyer, Jack Boyer, Benedict Boyer, Rita (AL) Adams, Sam Boyer, Tony Boyer; in-laws parents: Lloyd & Grace Sandberg, in-laws Mary Joe (Patrick) Smith, and Jim (Michele) Sandberg.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Janesville Fire Department and St. Ann Cemetery.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Janesville, MN on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11am with a 2-hour visitation before at the church from 9-11am. Interment will follow at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery in Janesville, MN.