Sandra J. Heikkila, age 77, of Woodbury, MN, died peacefully December 10, 2020 at her home.

Sandra was born on April 11, 1943 in New London, WI to Karl and Hattie (Lightfuss) Ebert. She graduated from Manawa Little Wolf High School in the class of 1961. A lifelong educator and speech and language pathologist, Sandra taught in the River Falls, WI school district helping children with special needs. She had a second-career mentoring student teachers enrolled at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls.

In 1968 Sandra married Gerald Heikkila. Together they raised their two sons, Jason and Luke in Afton, MN. Sandra and Gerald loved to travel, read, dance, share time with friends, listen to music and enjoy the occasional gin martini.

Sandra was a woman of great faith and adored sharing her gift of a beautiful voice as a member of many church choirs, including the Augustana Lutheran Church in West St. Paul, MN.

Whether she liked it, or not, Gerald coerced Sandra to be a fan of Minnesota sports. She learned how to keep score at Twins games and sang the Rouser at hundreds of Gophers games and the Barn and the Dome.

Before Gerald’s death in 2005 she and he were able to travel to China, Finland, Russia, Italy, Mexico, the Bahamas, Maine, Florida, California, and many other places. After she lost her number one travel partner, Sandra continued to see the world including trips to Ireland, the Holy Land, Germany, England, and a return trip to Italy.

When Sandra was home, she spent a great deal of time volunteering, attending plays, musicals, vocal performances, and lectures. She discussed books with numerous book clubs, and explored local areas of interest with the ‘Wednesday Women’

Though many activities were important to her, nothing compared to the love that being Grandma (or “Grammy”) provided. She adored her five grandchildren and watching them grow into the people they are becoming while going to college, working with animals, performing on the stage, on the basketball court, or on the soccer pitch brought her so much pride and joy.

Sandra is survived by her children: Jason (Rebecca) Heikkila of Canton, SD and Luke (Sarah) Heikkila of Roseville, MN; grandchildren Joey, Gabby, Ani Jane, Christa, and Leo; sister Charlotte (David) Wildermuth of Bay Village, OH; brother-in-law David (Marie) Heikkila of Hudson, WI, and nephews Tucker, Brett, Nick, and Tony.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, brother David, sister Sara, brother-in-law Ron, and nephew Andy.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00p.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021 at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 S. Robert St., West St. Paul, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Augustana Lutheran Church.