Betsy Kristine Sandstrom

Betsy Kristine Sandstrom, age 90, died peacefully at her home in Nampa on March 4, 2021. 

Betsy was born December 13, 1930 in Hibbing, MN, to Sextus Solmonson and Grace (Peterson) Solmonson. She was the youngest of four children. Betsy was a 1948 graduate of Hibbing High School where she enjoyed playing the flute for the Hibbing Bluejacket Matching Band. 

Betsy was a wonderful cook. Her love for cooking began as a young girl watching her parents prepare meals for workers at nearby logging camps. Betsy continued to develop her culinary skills as a teenager working with her parents at The Grace Hotel in Hibbing. 

After high school, Betsy moved to Seattle where she would meet the love of her life; George Kenneth Sandstrom. They were married April 2, 1949 and had three children: Jim, Mike, and Lori. Betsy and George raised their family in Seattle, and then in 1969 they moved to Anchorage, AK. Five years later their family relocated to their forever home in Boise, ID. Betsy worked as the Head Secretary at Borah High School for 20 years. She was beloved by faculty and students and was completely devoted to both before retiring in 1994. Once retired, Betsy and George enjoyed spending their winters in Yuma, AZ with several of their friends. 

Betsy lost her dear husband, George, in 2005. Three years later, she moved to Middleton, ID where she would live with Mike and Michelle until declining health precipitated her move to Orchard of Cascadia in Nampa, ID where she would remain until her death. 

Betsy was the most loving and amazing mother and grandmother. Her greatest loves were George, their family, church, and gathering for Sunday dinners at the family home on Sunderland Dr. 

Betsy is survived by her three children: James (Kathy) Sandstrom, Michael (Michelle) Sandstrom and Lori (Ollis) Hull. She is also survived by her five granddaughters, Alicia (Tony) Webster, Kyndra (Brandon) Johnson, Jeri Ann (Andrew) Lucero, Mikah (Josh) Villanueva, and Kortnee Sandstrom (Andrew Lee) as well as 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons. 

Betsy was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, George Kenneth Sandstrom. She was also preceded in death by both of her parents, and her siblings James Solmonson, Phillip Solmonson, and Margaret (Solmonson) McDermott.

A memorial ceremony has not been planned at this time. Betsy’s family looks forward to a celebration of life honoring Betsy and George in the near future. 

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