Sandra Cottrell

Vista, Calif.

Sandra (Gudmunson) Cottrell of Vista, CA, formerly of Minot, passed away on February 28, 2026 after a long illness.

Born and raised in Minot, Sandra was the daughter of Lyman and Blanche (Olson) Gudmunson. She attended Minot Model High School and Minot State University, where she earned a degree in teaching. She taught elementary school in Wildrose, ND and Portland, OR, where she met her husband of 45 years, Joseph Cottrell of San Diego, CA. They eventually settled down in Vista, where they raised two sons, Joseph and Darren. In retirement, they moved back to Minot for several years before returning to Vista to be near their grandchildren.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph and son Darren. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Sheldon and JoAnn Gudmunson of Minot, son Joseph, daughter-in-law Tamara and two grandchildren, Isaac and Emilia, all of Vista.

A service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church in Crosby, ND at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.

Published by The Minot Daily News, June 15, 2026.