Sandra Birkholz

Sandra Birkholz, age 85, of Mankato, Minnesota died on October 20, 2025, at Laurels Edge Memory Care in Mankato surrounded by the love of her family. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 11:00 am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato with visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Sandra (Sandy) Slimak Birkholz was born on March 27, 1940, to William and Marguerite Slimak who raised her and her younger sister Carol in Minneapolis with the loving assistance of their maternal grandmother Edith Dorr. Sandy had many close friends throughout her lifetime including her club of best friends through high school and beyond.

After high school she took a variety of college classes and later she took correspondence courses in library science. Among her favorite work roles, Sandy served as an office supervisor at the University of Minnesota Medical School where she met the love of her life, Clyde. After their marriage on August 7, 1965, Sandy worked as a secretary at Webb Publishing in St. Paul and then in her very favorite professional role as the children's librarian at the Two Harbors Public Library. To this day many adults cherish fond memories of the elaborate story hours Sandy "the library lady" hosted, as well as times spent talking to her and appreciating her attentive listening ear.

Clyde and Sandy raised their two children, Nathan (Nate) and Rebecca (Becca) on the North Shore of Lake Superior just outside of Two Harbors where they spent much time hiking, camping, and hosting bonfires at the beach. Sandy loved reading, interior decorating, sending cards and gifts to friends, reading, eating out (especially in support of the Golden Arches), baking, traveling, reading, watching the Minnesota Twins and spending time with family and friends when she wasn't reading.

Sandy's favorite role began in 2002 with the birth of her first grandchild, Lily, and then she was equally thrilled to add grandsons Jonah and Jack in 2005 and 2013. Sandy and Clyde loved spending time with their grandchildren and did their best to spoil them rotten.

In 1997, Sandy and Clyde moved to Mankato where she was a dedicated volunteer with Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota who recognized her as their Outstanding Volunteer of The Year in 2007. Sandy was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Mankato where she enjoyed Bible Studies and taking part in the ministries of the Women of the ELCA.

In her final years of life, Sandy was tenderly cared for by her loving husband with much assistance from the compassionate staff of Laurel's Edge and Moments Hospice in Mankato, calling every staff member "Honey" and loving each and every one of them even though her dementia prevented her from ever learning their names.

Sandy is survived by her beloved husband, Clyde and children Nate (Jen Williamson) and Becca (Lowell Krogstad), grandchildren Lily, Jonah and Jack, brother-in-law Michael Berneck, sister-in-law Cleo Edeburn, several much-adored nieces and nephews, and numerous friends near and far. She was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law, brother-in-law Carl Edeburn and her sister Carol.

The family respectfully requests that no flowers or plants be sent to her memorial service but suggests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Two Harbors Public Library, to your own local public library or take yourself out for a nice lunch somewhere. Enjoy every bite. And when you are finished, declare it "Good. But not as good as McDonalds." That was Sandy's way.