Sandra Lea (Sojka) Stoesz, 81, passed away in Minneapolis on December 4, 2024.  Sandra was born in Washington, Iowa, December 19, 1942, to parents Walter Yaro and Doris Jean (Redding) Sojka. She spent her childhood on the family farm near Washington and attended a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade, graduating from Washington High School in 1961.  Sandra was a free-spirited teenager, and accidentally flipped her car on a country road during her high school years. Thankfully, she was not seriously injured, but subsequently endured years of embarrassment due to the story being recounted time and time again by family and friends.

As soon as she finished high school, she moved to Minneapolis with a friend.  Moving to the city resulted in her meeting her loving spouse Jim.  They met as neighbors when living in the same apartment building in South Minneapolis.  Jim and Sandra married on January 7, 1965. Soon after getting married, they welcomed daughter Laura and son Matt. 

Sandra began her career in banking. Later she transitioned to her most cherished role of stay-at-home mother to Laura and Matt. As the children grew older, Sandra started working part-time in the delicatessen at the Red Owl grocery store in the 1980s. Her career grew with the company and stayed through its transition to Cub foods.  She retired in 2010 having dedicated over 30 years to the company. 

Bingo with friends, including her long time friend Marilu was one of her favorite things to do. Jim and Sandra also enjoyed spending time at the family cabin fishing and visiting the casino. Sandra was a loving dog mom throughout the years to Ben, Cookie, Fuzzy, Scooter, Buster, Henry and Beanie. 

Sandra was heartbroken by the loss of her husband in 2007.  The arrival of her grandchildren Ryan and Molly soon after he passed brought great happiness back into her life. During her retirement she loved babysitting her grandkids and continued to play bingo.

Sandra will be remembered for her tireless dedication to her family, always placing them as the focus of her life. She was loving, selfless, and always present to listen and offer support to her family, including making meals and ensuring everyone had their favorite gifts on their birthdays and for Christmas. She was a true angel for her family.

Sandra was proceeded in death by an infant brother William, parents Walter and Doris, and her husband Jim. Sandra’s memory will always be held dear by her daughter Laura Stoesz, son Matt (Maureen) Stoesz, grandchildren Ryan and Molly, brother-in-law Brad (Marcia) Stoesz, sister-in-law Kristin (Jack) Raymakers, and nieces and nephews.  No services are planned.