Sandra D. Lennes

Obituary

Sandy Lennes, 80, of Hutchinson passed away Thursday, December 6th at St. Cloud Hospital with head injuries after a devastating fall at a family-owned cabin near New London, Minnesota. Funeral service was 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 11th at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Officiating were Pastor Scott Grorud and Pastor David Wollan.

Sandra (Korger) Lennes was born April 30, 1938 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Frederick and Ruth (Gilbert) Korger. Sandy was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith on December 30, 1959, after marriage to her husband, Richard “Dick” Lennes. Sandy and Dick were united in marriage at Zion Lutheran Church in Hopkins, Minnesota on December 20, 1958. Their marriage was blessed with three children. Sandy and Dick moved to Hutchinson in 1961 and have remained active members of the Hutchinson Community ever since. They will have shared 60 years of marriage on December 20, 2018.

As a young person, Sandy was a competitive swimmer recognized as an Olympic hopeful and later a professional synchronized swimmer. She toured with the Al Scheehan’s Aqua Follies four summers in several major cities throughout the United States. Sandy graduated from Hopkins High School in 1955 and enrolled at St. Cloud State University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Language Arts and Journalism.  She and her husband owned “Hickory Lane Distinctive Fabrics,” where she advanced her skills as a quilter. Sandy has been president of the Hutchinson Downtown Retail Association, The Greens Homeowner’s Association, and provided leadership in many other organizations. Sandy was instrumental in starting AAU Swimming in Hutchinson. One of her favorite volunteer activities was serving as a Girl Scout Leader for eight years. Sandy served several years as a Senior High Language Arts instructor in Hutchinson and embraced many hobbies, including quilting, reading, writing, camping, gardening, swimming, card-making, singing, and decorating. Two years ago, she took up paddle boarding at their cabin near New London. She also started the Annual Long Lake Ladies Swim—yes, she swam in it this summer. Sandy enjoyed working with her husband on home remodeling and building projects.

Sandy, a cancer survivor of six years, relied on Jesus as her counsel and found peace in her relationship with Him.  In addition to her strong Christian faith and being active in ministry at her church, Sandy was a loving and caring family person always thinking about others before herself. Her entire family was special to her.  She considered her grandchildren her treasures.  A tribute to how much Sandy is admired is displayed on a wall hanging from her husband that reads, “If I had my life to do over, I would find you sooner so I could love you longer”.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Dick Lennes, of Hutchinson;  her children, Scott Lennes of Costa Rica, Cindy Dellwo (Rick) of Elk River, Rick Lennes of Hutchinson; 12 grandchildren,  Brice, Chloe, Joshua, Chris, Carly, Amie (Ryan), Angie, Christopher (Kari), Charlie, Alexis (Derek), Autumn (Brandon) and Brooklyn, 11 great-grandchildren, and niece, Heather (AJ) Hobbs. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents Frederick and Ruth Korger and her younger sister, Jacque Hobbs.