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September 26, 2018

Mary Louise

Sandstrom, 82

Mary Louise Sandstrom, 82, passed away at home on Sunday, September 16, 2018, surrounded by her family. The family received friends from 4 – 7 p.m. Thursday, September 20, at Iles-Brandt Chapel in Dallas Center where a Celebration of Life service was held at 7 p.m. Graveside services were held 10 a.m. Friday, September 21, at Fairview West Cemetery in Lenox, Iowa.

Mary Louise was the oldest child of six siblings born to Byron and Anita (Long) Northup, on November 21, 1935, in their rural Adams County home.  Louise attended primary school at Frog Pond (Grove No. 4) located in rural Taylor County and graduated from Lenox High School in May of 1954. Upon graduation Louise worked as a bookkeeper at Blair Implement, while her high school sweetheart, Albert Sandstrom completed college.  On December 20, 1957, Louise and Albert were united in marriage at the home of Louise’s grandparents, Esther and Harold Long. Albert and Louise lived in Lenox, Aberdeen, Maryland, Diagonal, and Waukee before settling in Dallas Center. Louise was active in the Dallas Center Community involved with the Blue Birds, Camp Fire, and Boy Scouts.  Louise also assisted at the voting stations during the November elections. As Louise’s children got older she returned to working outside of the home. First working at Price’s Sundries in Dallas Center and then in 1977 for Sears in their Warranty/Repair Department, retiring in 1997.

Louise enjoyed spending time with her family; especially the sister dinners where her sisters and her daughters met, told stories and laughed and laughed.  One of Louise’s hobbies was making clothes for her children and business suits for Albert. Louise and Albert also enjoyed the winters as snowbirds in Texas.  They also traveled to Switzerland, the Caribbean, and Alaska. The one thing that brought the biggest smile to her face was watching the grandbabies and great-grandbabies play and grow.

Louise is survived by her husband, Albert, three children, Valerie (John) Sechser of St. Charles, Loren (Theresa) Sandstrom of Grimes, and Michele Sandstrom-Poulson of Urbandale;  nine grandchildren, Jake (Catie) Mahon of Dallas Center, Clint (Lisa Culp) Mahon of Adel, Bernie (Holly Mestad) Mahon of Dallas Center, Megan Carvajal of St. Charles, Nick (Chelsea) Sandstrom of Grimes, Tim (Brianna Perry) Sandstrom of Des Moines, Kyra (John) Blecker of Grimes, Courtney (Matt Stanley) Burkart of Greenfield and Carter (Julia Klein) Burkart of Ames; nine great-grandchildren, sisters: Linda (Mike) Pershin of West Branch, Celia Curry of Johnston, and Lisa (Greg) Wilkinson of Prescott; sister-in-law, Marlene (Jim) Wyer of Lenox; and many nieces, nephews extended family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her daughter Roseanne Sandstrom, her parents, in-laws Viola and Gunnar Sandstrom, and her brothers, Edwin and John Northup.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Alzheimer’s Association, Shriners Hospital for Children, American Cancer Society, or Mercy Hospice and may be mailed to Iles-Brandt Chapel, PO Box 159, Dallas Center, Iowa 50063. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.

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