Sandra K. Phillips

Sandy was the first born of Addie and Harold Lee being born in 1944. She was told that all the neighbors adored her because there were no other children around. Sandy is the oldest of four girls Connie, Christy and Susan who grew up on the family farm in North Dakota.

Sandy graduated from Dodge High School in 1962. There were 8 students in the class and only one boy. After graduation Sandy immediately moved to Bismarck to attend Bismarck Junior College. Upon competition of her secretarial degree she moved to the Twin Cities to pursue her clerical career and be closer to her fiancé Wayne Miller who was from Hazen North Dakota and attending radio school in Minneapolis. She said the big city was a bit over whelming at first for this farm girl, but she acclimated well and stayed in the Twin Cities for the rest of her life.

Wayne and Sandy were married on October 17, 1964 in Dodge. They had two children Michelle and Wade. Michelle is a Lutheran Pastor in Chicago. She has 3 children – Peder, Oliver and Annika. Wade is an IT Business Analyst for large energy company in the cities. He has 2 children – Adison (Adi after Grandma Ade) and Nolan.

Sandy later married Larry Phillips, who was originally from International Falls, MN. Larry had two children Julie and Andy when they married on October 2, 1982. Larry was an electrician and taught construction electricity at Minneapolis Technical College until he retired in 2001. Larry passed away August 2011 just short of their 30th wedding anniversary.

Sandy retired from Anoka County in June 2009, after 24 years of service. Before she was employed with Anoka County she did a variety of clerical jobs throughout the Twin Cities. Through the eligibility of her deceased husband Sandy has been an American Legion Auxiliary member for almost 25 years. She has been very active with the Auxiliary through these years having served as unit and district president.

Sandy had many hobbies and interests including gardening, fishing, photography, jewelry making and going to Casinos whenever possible. She loved to travel and enjoyed trips in recent years to Arizona with her beloved Howie and a Carribbean cruise with her children and grandchildren. She was an excellent cook could be counted on to make a lots of food for any family or Auxilary gathering.

Sandra K. Phillips (Lee) (Miller), age 71 of Coon Rapids, Minnesota died March 17, 2016.

Preceded in death by husband, Larry; parents, Harold and Adeline.

Survived by children, Rev. Michelle L. Sevig (Julie), Wade Miller (Mary); step-children, Andy Phillips (Tricia), Julie Michaels; grandchildren, Peder, Oliver, Annika, Nolan, Adison, Marissa, Drew, Sadie, Charlotte; siblings, Connie Nicholas (Eugene), Christie Werts (Doug), Susan Henderson (Brion); sister-in-law, Nancy Phillips; special friend, Howard Jewell; other relatives and many friends.

Visitation 4-7 PM Monday March 21, 2016 with a Poppy Service at 7 PM at Gearhart Anoka Chapel, 552 East River Road, Anoka. Memorial Service 11:30 AM Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Zion Lutheran Church, 1601 4th Avenue, Anoka with visitation 1/2 hour prior. Private interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Arrangements with Gearhart Anoka Chapel (763) 421-4347.