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May 8, 1953-Aug. 30, 2026
Minot
Family and friends said goodbye to their beloved Sandra (Sandy) Jane Francis, who went to receive her heavenly reward on August 30, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Home in Mandan, ND.
Sandy graduated from Minot High School in 1973. She participated in the Special Olympics program for many years and received awards for different events. She was very proud of her ability to hit and throw a softball, and she was also very excited when she won prom queen. For many years, she worked at the Minot Vocational Workshop, and continued working at various businesses in Minot, Tioga, and Stanley until she retired at the age of 69.
Sandy was well-loved for her giggles, her outrageous outfits and colorful hair choices, her wishes to go on vacation to Florida (or Texas), as well as her demands to take her to the bar. She enjoyed her parakeets, her fluffy blankets, and her leopard-print shoes. She also loved and missed every member of her family, including parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, distant cousins, and all extended members of the large family with which she had grown up.
Sandy is survived by her 10 siblings: Robert (Diane) Francis, Jr., of Sawyer, ND; Denise (Mike) Jacobsen of Rose Hill, KS; Toni (Allan) Kremer of Coleharbor, ND; Darla (Jerry) Vaagen of Coleharbor, ND; Diana (Pat) Beeter of San Angelo, TX; Doug (Carrie) Francis of Sawyer, ND; Connie (Doug) Teets of Minot, ND; Kathy (Brian Sturm) Hedstrand of Minot, ND; Patty (Michael) Steele of Williston, ND; Denny (Sheila) Francis of Norwich, ND. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Duane Francis and Patricia Ann Rose (Murphy) Francis; great-nephew, Devin Beeter; niece, Jerene Vaagen; nephew, Jarid Hedstrand; as well as grandparents, various aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Sandy's Celebration of Life service will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church, 1800 Hiawatha St SE, Minot, ND.
To view a livestream of the service or share memories and condolences, access her obituary at www.thomasfamily funeralhome.com.
Sandy loved wearing jeans, so in her honor, her family will be wearing jeans to her Celebration of Life. We invite you to join us by wearing your favorite pair of jeans as we celebrate and remember Sandy.
Interment: Sawyer Cemetery, Sawyer, ND
Visitation: One hour prior to the start of the service in the church.
Published by The Minot Daily News, September 4, 2026.