Sandra L.A. "Sandi" Hembree

Sandra L. A. "Sandi" Hembree, age 78 of Cottage Grove and formerly of Hastings, died peacefully on Sunday afternoon, October 7, 2018, at White Pine Memory Care in Cottage Grove. Sandra Lou Ann, the daughter of Algot and Luella (Norstad) Strom, was born on June 27, 1940, in Red Wing. Following her graduation from Red Wing High School, Sandi moved to California with a friend until returning to Minnesota for the birth of Lori, the first of her three children. She was also blessed with two additional children, Lisa and Lon. Sandi was a longtime employee at Smead Mfg. in Hastings, and retired after 29 years of employment. She was a founding member of St. Philips Lutheran Church, but remained a member at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in her later years. Sandi loved to crochet, paint, and volunteer her time. As her health continued to fail, Sandi enjoyed living at White Pine Senior Living in Cottage Grove for the last ten years. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Lori Lynn; and by her former husband and father of her children, Earl Hembree. Sandi is survived by her children, Lon Hembree (partner, Candace Bowering) and Lisa (Chester) Cross; granddaughter Talitha (Craig) Martinez-Hood, as well as many other grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Mary (Loeill) Dyrud; and by many other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2018, at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Hastings, with Reverend Doug Duin officiating. Interment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Red Wing. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings, and also for one hour prior to the service at church on Friday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Parkinson Research Foundation in memory of Sandi. Sandis family would like to especially thank the staff at White Pine for the love and care they gave to Sandi over the years. Arrangements are being completed by Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings.