Sandra J. Westby

Sandra J. Westby, 83, Fargo passed away peacefully Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Serenity Assisted Living, Dilworth, MN surrounded by her family. Sandra was born October 19, 1938, in Raymond, MN to John and Talena (Vanheuveln) Baumann. She graduated from high school in Willmar, MN. Sandra married her high school sweetheart, Ron Westby, May 26, 1956, in Raymond, MN. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. Ron joined the Navy after his high school graduation. He and Sandra were initially stationed at Point Mugu, Oxnard, CA. Then went on to Barber’s Point, Island of Oahu, HI. Sandra loved to learn and was an avid reader. She began her college education at age 27, after the birth of their seventh child. She attended Black Hills State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education. Sandra was a trailblazer; she was the first woman to earn the new Tri-College Graduate Degree in Fargo / Moorhead (1981). She went on to earn her Ph.D. in Education Administration from the University of Minnesota. Sandra would say that “I am constantly realizing how much there is to know…and how much I don’t know. I can’t imagine there will ever be a time when I am not involved in taking classes”. Sandra worked at West Fargo High School and in the Twin Cities for several years before eventually retiring from the Duluth School System in 2000. She was a champion for the underdog. She volunteered and donated her time to various causes. She collaborated with Judge Miles Lord, Minneapolis, MN., on important advocacy issues. Sandra enjoyed helping Ron, and their children, and grandchildren with constant new home building and renovation projects. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ron, Fargo, ND; children, Karre (Philip Reed) Westby, Fargo, ND, Scott (Kathleen Mullen) Westby, Oakland, CA, Kent (Bernice Cossette-Westby) Westby, Horace, ND, Kristin (Dean) Martin, Burnsville, MN, Shelley (Harold) Schuster, Lakeville, MN, Susan (Mark) Olgard, Moorhead, MN; 16 grandchildren, Brandi (Luke) Ployhar, Joseph (Janelle) Kolle, Candace (Joe) Walker, Anna Westby, Elyssa Westby, Jacqueline (Brandon) Carpenter, Brandon Westby, Patrick Martin, Sandra (Mike) Herges, Matthew (Sarah) Schuster, Megan (David) Benjamin, Kayla Schuster, Isaac Olgard, Selah (Brandon) Sulzener, Jacob Olgard, Nathan Olgard; 13 great-grandchildren, Eliza Ployhar, Mira Ployhar, Max Ployhar, Orin Kolle, Cullen Kolle, Ruthie Walker, Gigi Walker, Talayna Carpenter, Arissa Carpenter, Koen Carpenter, Clara Benjamin, Elias Benjamin and Elsie Sulzener. She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Greg, brother, Douglas Baumann and sister, Dolores Latterall. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 21, at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo. Sandra's Video Tribute can be viewed below: