Engquist, Sandi (Sprague) Sandra Bell Engquist went to Heaven on May 18, 2018, after spending 80 years on Earth. Sandi thought love was unlimited and was not keen on imposing conditions. Her kindness left us each with the feeling that we were her favorite. Everyone who knew Sandi was better because of it.
Sandi was born in Bronxville, New York on July 21, 1937. Her Mom, Margaret Bell, would become an intrepid Minneapolis travel agent while her Dad, Martin McLean Jr., struggled with addiction and mental illness, leaving the young family. Sandi was surrounded by extended family in Connecticut while her Mom built airplanes. In 1947, Margo married Jack Sprague at Plymouth Congregational Church and Jack adopted Sandi, accounting for her first name change.
While attending Minneapolis West High School, Sandi met Ted Kobs on a blind date. Ted and Sandi got married and had four children, each a favorite, raised on Ted's modest teacher salary. Sandi was active at All Saints Lutheran Church, oversaw food, music lessons, and camping adventures, and found time to lead a Camp Fire Girls group. She struggled with depression and, with the help and support of medical providers and her family, overcame that illness. After a long and successful marriage, Sandi was on her own, attending Normandale Community College and doing graphic design. In 1982, Sandi married another Nordeast boy, Mel Engquist. Mel and Sandi were great together, and she cherished his wonderful children. Sandi was a casual gardener, preferring sunflowers to Mel's favorite, tulips.
Sandi had an amazing mind with unlimited storage for stories, facts, and anything quirky. She was thrilled to be a contestant on Jeopardy and loved watching the show with April and George. Most any quiz show, especially on the radio, elder hostel, local theatre, historical society or bible study group had Sandi's full attention. Sandi was a fixture at the front desk of First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights, smiling, laughing and welcoming everyone as she multi-tasked her various ongoing projects. Sparkly hats, scarves, and multiple bags (taken along for even the shortest trip) were her signature of the 2000s. Back in the 70s, Sandi embraced hot pants and they embraced her.
Only the most agile people could escape a Sandi story. Obscure things tickled her brain and it was inevitable that a fact, story or memory would be shared. Sandi was known for her "classic" birthday cards, usually recycled, with sticky notes, articles and handwritten amendments jammed into an envelope for the recipient to organize and decipher. Sandi casually ignored her maladies in order to give someone a ride to chemo, support a local restaurant, or listen to a cassette tape while watching freight trains from her window.
Sandi embraced all the things that life and death bring. Grand Sandi encouraged all of us to be the best people we can be, to love God and to be kind. Among her survivors are children Katherine Phillips (Calvin), Steve Kobs, Larry Kobs (Becca), past husband Ted Kobs (Carmen), grand and great grand children and dear friends and family including Roxy and John Malik, Carol Marlow, Steve Engquist, Shirley and Leo Edralin, Becky Hill, Maureen McGowan, Louis Peasley, the Two Graces, George Humphries and so many other "favorites." She joined Mel and daughter April Madden in Heaven.
We will remember Sandi on Wednesday, May 23 at 11:00am, visitation at 10:00, at the First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights. Lunch follows. Sandi would be flattered if a memory of her inspires you to become an organ donor, to donate blood, or to volunteer your time to a cause you care about.