Sandi Moeller

Sandi Moeller, age 81, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on October 25, 2020, at Ortonville Area Health Service in Ortonville.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings of up to 250 people. The use of face masks by attendees is required, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. In most cases, livestreaming and recording of the service is available. Because of social distancing guidelines, the Moeller family is requesting your participation by livestreaming or watching the recording of this service.

Sandra Marcella (Long) Moeller was born October 2, 1939, to H.J. “Bill” and Marcella Long in Hudson, South Dakota, the youngest of four daughters. She grew up and attended school in Rock Valley, Iowa, graduating in 1957.  Sandi always wanted to be a nurse. At the age of three, when her mother could not locate her, she was found at the neighbor’s house.  He had gotten sick and Sandi was there taking care of him. The desire to help others led her to attend the Methodist Kahler School of Nursing after high school, graduating in 1960.

Sandi furthered her education by attending the University of Minnesota achieving a degree in Nursing Education in 1963.  Never one to stand still, Sandi attained her nurse practitioner’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1980. Sandi was a practicing nurse all her life, having taught nursing in both Michigan and Minnesota.  She took pride in being a school nurse, first at River Valley School for the handicapped in Rock Valley, Iowa, for 22 years, and later after her first “retirement” as school nurse at Koch School in Milbank. Both provided Sandi with a wealth of joy and stories, and Sandi loved to tell a good story. She continued some form of nursing activity including being parish nurse at First English Church until after her 80th birthday.

Sandi was united in marriage with Charles Moeller on June 30, 1963, in Inwood, Iowa. The couple adopted three children in infancy: William “Bill”, Robert “Rob”, and Elizabeth “Beth” over the course of four years. Charles credits Sandi with not only raising the family in a loving manner but also teaching him the meaning of love. Once their family was complete, they moved back to Iowa. The family shared many adventures from their love of camping and the outdoors. The couple retired in 1999 to Big Stone Lake in Ortonville, MN.

Sandi enjoyed life and all the people in it. To put it mildly, Sandi was social. Sandi enjoyed telling stories, talking with friends, checking in on those who needed some attention, sitting in the sun, and mowing the lawn. Sandi was very active in her church (First English Lutheran in Ortonville). She also devoted her time as a parish nurse, president of the ECLA, member of the church choir, Day of Love, and chairperson of the Scandinavian Food Fair. Her love of singing extended beyond church as she participated in musical plays.

She is survived by her husband, Charles of Ortonville, MN; sons: Bill (Becky) Moeller, and Rob (Nichole) Moeller both of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Beth Sharma of Sacramento, CA; grandchildren: Charles Moeller of Minneapolis, MN; Mischa Moeller of Beardsley, MN; Alex and Kiran Sharma of Sacramento, CA; sisters: Barb Anderson and Helen (Murray) Rowe both of Canton, SD; sister-in-law, Eunice Tickner, of Sioux Falls; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and others grateful for having known her.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Bill and Marcella; one sister, Mary Alice Alsager; brother-in-law, Bud Alsager; brother-in-law, W.C. “ Spec” Anderson; and brother-in-law, Mike Tickner.