Bonnie Sandahl, age 86, entered her heavenly home October 3, 2021, at the Wakefield Health Care Center.
Bonnie’s life will be celebrated at a funeral service on Monday, October 11, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne, Nebraska. Burial will follow in the Wayne Greenwood Cemetery with Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be Sunday, October 10th from 4-6 p.m. and from 9:30-Service Time on Monday at Grace Lutheran Church. Please direct memorials to Grace Lutheran Church, American Cancer Society, or Alzheimer’s Association.
Bonita (Bonnie) Faith (Sorensen) Sandahl was born December 17, 1934, in Wayne, NE, to Olga Sophia (Frevert) Sorensen and Harris Simon Sorensen. She grew up on a farm three miles east and a mile north of Wayne. She attended country school, and then continued in Wayne, where she graduated from Wayne High School in 1952. Bonnie earned her teaching degree from Nebraska State Teachers College in Wayne and taught 2nd grade in Norfolk and Omaha. She traveled often with good friends and roommates all over the U.S.
Bonnie married Cornelius (Neil) Winston Sandahl on August 25, 1957. They lived and farmed four miles east of Wayne – almost exactly halfway between their two “home places”. Throughout her life, Bonnie was always a teacher, leader and volunteer. She was a life-long member – baptized, confirmed and married – at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and sang in the choir. She was a charter member of Grace Evening Circle, belonged to the Duo Club and attended Bible studies. She volunteered in the church office weekly, at Orphan Grain Train, for American Cancer Society, and most significantly, as the leader of the Gingham Gals 4-H Club for 21 years – impacting countless girls’ lives.
Travel and expanding horizons were always important to Bonnie. She planned family vacations every year, hosted an exchange student from Sweden, and made sure their daughters traveled abroad. Traveling to or with grandchildren was a highlight for her. Bonnie often gathered with her neighborhood coffee club, and she and Neil met monthly with dear friends – five families fondly known as “Supper Club” – for over fifty years. Spending time in the kitchen was Bonnie’s favorite pastime. She loved cooking for her family and guests. She baked the most delicious cinnamon rolls, Swedish tea rings, cookies and breads – often giving away her delicacies. Hospitality and generosity were some of her greatest gifts. She always had a large garden and preserved many kinds of fruits and vegetables. They raised chickens and Bonnie was known as “the egg lady” to many. She enjoyed pets, sewing, and arts and crafts. As a wonderful teacher, she passed many of these skills on to her daughters, who carry on her legacy to this day. Bonnie’s great sense of humor was still evident while she battled dementia, giving others the most delightful looks and funny faces.
Bonnie is survived by her children Anita (Kerry) Keys of Elsmere, NE, Karen (Val) Collins of Omaha, NE, Margo Sandahl of Stamford, CT, and Marta (Scott) Allred of Wildwood, MO; grandchildren Stacey and Amanda Keys, Brandon (Kristen), Travis (Haley), Spencer (Cassie) and Austin (Emma) Collins, and Kate and Myles Allred; great-granddaughter, Madeline Collins; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her son, Ryan Sandahl, of cancer in 1966; by her parents, Olga and Harris Sorensen; brother Delwyn Sorensen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Dean and Della Sandahl, Wayne Sandahl, and Lanora Sorensen; and her husband of nearly 59 years, Neil, in August of 2016.
