Sandra Lee Fuhr age 60 of Redwood Falls went to be with the Lord on January 29, 2008. She passed away surrounded by her family at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota after a sudden and brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Presbyterian Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. AT THE CHURCH, and will continue one hour prior to services on Saturday. Email condolences may be sent to the Caringbridge website at www.caringbridge.org/visit/sandyfuhr. Memorials are preferred to the Redwood Area Library Foundation or SMSU Library Foundation. The Redwood Valley Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Sandra Lee Fuhr was born on May 6, 1947 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Dean and Patricia (McCormack) Sinclair. She attended school in Wabasso, graduating in 1965. Sandy was united in marriage to Darrell Fuhr on October 9, 1965 at the Presbyterian Church in Wabasso. Sandy stayed home to raise her three children as her family was her main priority. She loved spending time with friends and family; especially her grandchildren.

In May 1990 Sandy received her Bachelors Degree from Southwest State University and in December 1992 received her Masters in Library Science from Emporia State in Kansas. She worked as a librarian at Gustavus Adolphus College for seven years. She was the SMSU university librarian, associate professor and chairwoman of the library services department at the time of her death. When Sandra joined the SMSU Library team in 2000 she brought with her a passion of libraries in general and a vision for SMSU Library in particular. Her combination of enthusiasm, intelligence, and leadership made her an ideal University Librarian. Sandra skillfully led the SMSU Library through a long and difficult renovation process. Throughout her career Sandra’s dedication to students and her passion for teaching never wavered. It is largely due to her drive and forethought that SMSU students have access to state of the art services and facilities.

A woman of strong faith, she served the Redwood Falls Presbyterian Church as elder, clerk of session, Sunday school teacher, and on various committees. She was actively involved with Christian Women’s Club and for 25 years spoke at many clubs throughout the Midwest. Her passion for books led her to serve on the Redwood Area Library Foundation for nine years and she was instrumental in the successful fund drive that built the new public library building. Sandy’s commitment to libraries was also evident in her service to MnPALS Consortium as Chair of the Deans/Directors/Coordinators Executive Committee. Sandy was an avid reader and incredible hostess. She was the ultimate planner and remodeler. Sandy enjoyed bridge club, traveling and loved being at the lake with family and friends.

Sandy is survived by her husband Darrell of 42 years; son Mark (Deanie) Fuhr of Redwood Falls, daughter Gretchen (Tom) Fauskee of Willmar and son Peter Fuhr of rural Redwood Falls; grandchildren: Colin, Brennen and Tori Fuhr, Madison and William Fauskee; father Dean Sinclair and his wife LaVonne of Willmar; brothers and sisters: Michael (Karen) Sinclair of Winsboro, TX, Patrick (Dorothy) Sinclair, St. Louis, MO, Dean Sinclair of Bagdad, Iraq, Sheila (Elvin) Snyder of Eugene, OR, and Kevin Sinclair and Joan Woelfel of Wabasso; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, grandparents, and sister-in-law Mary Fuhr.