Mrs. Sandra Zelewski, age 79, of Orange City, Iowa, went to be with her Lord on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Orange City Area Health System. Abiding by her wishes, her body has been cremated.
A visitation with the family present was held on Wednesday, March 11, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Orange City. There was a memorial service on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Thomas Batchelder officiating. Following a time of lunch and fellowship was held, interment at the Waterman Cemetery in Sutherland. The Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City is in charge of arrangements.
Sandra Kay was born on July 8, 1946, at Hand Hospital in Hartley, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph and Viola (Peterson) Gieser. She grew up on a farm near Sutherland, Iowa.
Her first two years of education were in a country school in Grant Township. After the country school closed, she continued her education at the Sutherland Community School, graduating in 1964 as the salutatorian of her class.
Sandy then attended college in Mankato, Minnesota. Upon her graduation, she was employed by the Green Giant Company in Le Sueur, Minnesota, working with the company's assistant treasurer.
While working there, she met her future husband, Ronald Zelewski, who was also employed there.
Sandy and Ron were married on September 9, 1967. They moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, in January of the following year, where Sandy was employed at East Grand Forks Federal Savings and Loan. After Ron accepted a position in Fargo, Sandy transferred to the branch closest to Fargo, located in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Her experience eventually led to a management position there.
Ron later transferred back to Grand Forks, and Sandy returned to the home office, where she continued her career as corporate secretary until retiring in 1995.
Sandy and Ron spent many enjoyable years traveling, including their monthly road trips back to Iowa to visit family, which was a priority for them. The Lord blessed them with safe travels and lasting friendships. In 2019, they moved to Orange City and became members of Faith Lutheran Church.
Survivors include her husband of more than 58 years, Ron, of Orange City; a brother and his wife, Tom and Gail Gieser, of Sheldon; a sister-inlaw and her husband, Camille and Terry Storey, of Mesa, Arizona; nine nieces and nephews, Amy, and her husband, Larry Tietdke, of Norfolk, Nebraska; Angela Paulsen of Boyden, Iowa; Eric Gieser, and his wife, Kayce, of Waterloo, Iowa; Valerie Darbrow of Las Vegas, Nevada; Steve Puhrmann, and his wife, Debbie, of Le Mars, Iowa; Kari Storey of Mesa; Kevin Storey of Moorhead; Tami Thompson of Fargo; Kevin Puhrmann, and his wife, LuAnn, of Paullina, Iowa; as well as many greatnieces, great-nephews, great-greatnieces, and great-great-nephews.
In addition to her parents and Ron’s parents, John and Helen Zelewski, she was preceded in death by a sister and her husband, Nancy and Bob Puhrmann; a brother-in-law and his wife, Dennis and Carol Zelewski; and a niece, Laura Satterlund.
Memorials will be given to the Faith Lutheran Church in Orange City.
You are invited to leave a message of condolence, print a memorial folder, and participate in the service via livestream at www.oolman.com.