Loretta A. Sandberg

She was a true country girl, born on March 11, 1939 on a farm in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, the 2nd of 7 children born to Douglas and Grace McIvor. She married the true love of her life, Denzel Sandberg, in her hometown on Dec. 28, 1957.

She followed her husband to Crystal Lake in 1966, when he took a job as a pilot for TWA. Together they raised 4 exceptionally beautiful children there, all the while maintaining her own striking good looks. This in turn caused her husband to flirt with her incessantly throughout their 50 years of marriage, to which she always blushed and said, “Oh Denny, stop it!”

Loretta loved nothing more than spending time with her family, whether it be her own or her adopted one at Mama Rini’s. She could always be counted on to attend every special event and be there for every hospital stay to provide encouragement and love, whether it was for her spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, or friends. She relished every minute spent with loved ones, whether it be her much anticipated yearly trip to meet her sister Marlene in Las Vegas, her many trips with various grandchildren in tow, her yearly vacation to Oklahoma-complete with stop in Branson to see “the cute Elvis,” her standing date with Auntie Johnnie for coffee and soaps, or taking her family out to eat at Irene’s.

An experienced and expert, some might even say “professional” shopper, Loretta loved nothing more than strategically planning and finding that perfect gift for every birthday, anniversary, Christmas, or other occasion that she could find an excuse to spoil her family and friends. As each grandchild got their license, it became tradition to go on fun shopping trips with “Gramma,” which always involved picking out presents that she kept for months and impeccably wrapped so that even the recipient who picked it out had forgotten what treasures lay inside. When no grandchildren were around to accompany her on shopping trips, Loretta made great use of her TV and telephone in becoming quite the customer on QVC and HSN, to the point of saying of the hosts, “those people are like my family!”

Loretta was an exceptional crafter, accomplished in everything from knitting to sewing to cross-stitch. She was also a great cook and baker, whose famous carrot cake will be sorely missed by all who’ve tasted it. She was an inspiration to all her knew her and passed down her unwavering religious faith to her children and grandchildren. However, above all it will be her beautiful personality and giving spirit that will be missed and remembered most.

She is survived by four children and 18 grandchildren, Denzel Kurt Sandberg of Enderby, British Columbia, and his children Jenny, Jeremy, Katie, Sarah, and Jeffrey; Kim (Dale) Kowalski of Hebron, and their children Amberley, Dylan, Tanner, Kiaya, Harley, Keegan, and Blade; Karen Kowalski of Crystal Lake, and her children Kelsey and Klansey; and Lawrence Kelly (Jill) Sandberg of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and their children Kenzie, Julian, Holly, and Nicole; four brothers, Kelly (Joan) McIvor of Lockport, Manitoba, Keith (Dorothy) McIvor of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Bud McIvor of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Johnny (Shannon) McIvor of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba; and two sisters, Joyce McIvor of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, and Marlene (Orest) Kowall of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Denzel Sandberg.

The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 8 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1023 South McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake. Interment will be at Windridge Memorial Park, where she will join her beloved husband.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the American Cancer Society.