Funeral Service for Yvonne "Vonnie" Sandman, 73 of Browns Valley, MN will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with the Rev. William Schruba officiating. Organist will be Estelle Pearson and soloist will be Pat Schubert. Pallbearers will be Erik Tasa, Christopher Tasa, Aaron Zacharias, Mathew Zacharias, Leigh Wallenstein, and Janee Mangen. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Vonnie's Friends and Family. Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. There will be visitation on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at the Cahill Funeral Chapel from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with family present. Yvonne Helen Zacharias was born on November 6, 1939 in Sisseton, SD to Ernest and Evelyn (Johnson) Zacharias. Vonnie was raised on the farm. She attended high school in Browns Valley, MN and graduated in 1957. Following high school she attended North Dakota State School of Science for a time. After graduation Vonnie worked for a time at Howard's Café in Browns Valley, then she worked in Sisseton at Rubin's TV Shop, Landsberger Creamery, and Roberts County ASCS Office for 34 ½ years, retiring in October 1996. It was while working at Rubin's TV Shop, Vonnie met the freight delivery man, Ralph Sandman. They eventually became an "item" and were united in marriage on December 29, 1972 at Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD. They enjoyed thirty seven years of marriage before Ralph passed away July 15, 2009. His passing was very devasting to Vonnie, and her life was not the same following his death. Vonnie taught Sunday school both at Zion Lutheran, Browns Valley, MN and Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton. Vonnie was a long time member of Grace Lutheran Church. She enjoyed supporting the Youth, serving as co-chairperson for a serving group for a number of years. She and Ralph served on the Committee for the 50th Anniversary of Grace Lutheran Church. Vonnie was a life time member of Hills and Valley Riding Club. She was active in the Browns Valley Alumni Association, and was class chairperson for the Class of 1957; and she enjoyed helping Ralph's SHS Class of 1955 with their reunions. She was a member of Sisseton NARFE Chapter, and served as secretary for a number of years. She enjoyed helping prepare food for the annual community Thanksgiving dinner at Grace Lutheran Church. She enjoyed dancing, reading, and working on her computer. Vonnie passed away on August 10, 2013 at the Tekakwitha Living Center, Sisseton, SD.
Vonnie is survived by one sister, Linda and husband, Douglas Tasa of Coon Rapids, MN; sister-in-law, Cindy Zacharias of Nicoliet, MN; a brother-in-law David Wallenstein of Sisseton, SD; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Vonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, parents, two brothers, James and Wayne, sister-in-law Sally Wallenstein and father–in-law and mother-in-law