Sandra Starr

Minot

Sandra Schjeldahl Starr, 84, Minot, died Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Trinity Hospital in Minot.

Sandra was born October 19, 1941, in Torrance, California to Norris and Zora (Shearer) Schjeldahl. She moved with her family to Grand Forks, North Dakota at the age of three, and graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1959. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from St. Olaf College, where she sang in the renowned St. Olaf Choir under conductor Olaf Christiansen.

Her professional career began as the high school vocal music teacher in Lake Mills, Iowa. She returned to North Dakota in 1967 and began teaching at Minot State University in the University Lab School, grades PreK-6, and in the Division of Music, where she taught Music Education courses and supervised more than three decades of student teachers, profoundly shaping music education in the region.

Sandra married Kenneth R. Starr on August 18, 1974 at First Lutheran Church in Minot. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Rebecca.

Sandra earned a Master of Music Education degree from the University of North Dakota, and completed additional graduate coursework at the University of Michigan, UND, Eastman School of Music, and Hamline University. She held a Kodaly Mastery Certificate from the University of St. Thomas.

After 41 years at Minot State University, Sandra retired in 2008 as an assistant professor of music education. She served as Chair of the Division of Music from 2005 to 2008 and as interim chair from 2001 to 2002. She received the MSU Faculty Achievement Award in 1998, several faculty grants, and was listed numerous times in Who’s Who of American Women. In 2010, she was inducted into the North Dakota Music Education Association’s Hall of Fame. She received the YWCA Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, and the MSU Alumni Association Golden Award in 2015.

Sandra was founder and musical director of the Western Plains Children’s Choir from 1991 to 2008. Prior to founding WPCC, she served as chorus master and children’s chorus master for Western Plains Opera Company productions and was a longtime member of its board of directors. Sandra was also a founding member of the Minot Chamber Chorale, director from 1989 to 1995, sang with the ensemble before its incorporation in 1972 until 2002, and served on its board of directors.

Deeply committed to music education, Sandra adjudicated and coordinated countless regional music festivals and contests, was a guest conductor for NDACDA honor choirs, and presented seminars and workshops for the North Dakota Educators Association, the North Dakota Music Educators Association (NDMEA), Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE), Minot State University, the North Dakota Council on the Arts, and other professional organizations and churches.

She was an honorary life member of the North Dakota PTA, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and NDACDA, where she chaired National Repertoire and Standards committees from 1986 to 1992. A 50-year member of both the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the NDMEA, she served two terms on the NDMEA board of directors. She was also active in OAKE, and Sigma Alpha lota Professional Music Fraternity, serving as province governor. As a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, she was a charter member and chapter president of the Minot Nu Chapter, completed a term as North Dakota state president, and founded and directed NuNotes, a women’s singing group of the Minot Nu Chapter.

A longtime member of First Lutheran Church in Minot, Sandra served as Director of Music and adult choir from 1972-2003. She also directed the children’s and youth choirs, and was an active member of the quilting group.

Sandra’s presence could fill a room. Confident and fearless, she was never hesitant to take charge and speak her mind. She had a remarkable ability to make others feel seen and cared for, showing genuine interest in everyone she met. Beneath her strong exterior was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend who enjoyed cooking, sewing, quilting, and spending time with her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her leadership, dedication to education, and her never-ending love of music, family and friends. Her legacy lives on in the countless students, singers, and educators she inspired.

Sandra is survived by her husband of 51 years, Kenneth R. Starr, Minot; daughter Rebecca (Richard) McFarlane, Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren Natalie and Joseph McFarlane, Grand Forks; brother David (Yvonne) Schjeldahl, Idaho Falls, ID; sister-in-law, Jane Schjeldahl, Grand Forks; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Dennis Schjeldahl.

Celebration of Sandra’s Life: 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 20, 2025 at First Lutheran Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service or share memories and condolences access www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot

Visitation and Viewing: Friday, December 19, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the Western Plains Children’s Choir or First Lutheran Church of Minot.

Published by The Minot Daily News, December 15, 2025.