Sandra J Blomquist

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Blomquist, Sandra J Sandy left us on November 29th at age 85 to be reunited with her beloved husband Cal. She is preceded in death by husband, Calvin Blomquist, Parents Donald and Dorothy McClain and Sister Marge Dextrase. Sandy is survived by son Don (Pam) Blomquist and grandsons Ryan (Kellyn) and Elliot; daughter Cynthia (David) Johnson; son Robert (Bonnie) Blomquist and granddaughter Amber; Sister Donna (Bob) Massey and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Sandy was a proud Army brat, Army wife, Army mother and Army grandmother. As a daughter of a Colonel, she lived in locations all over the US and also Mexico, Japan and Germany. In 1956, she met a handsome Lieutenant at a military dance at Ft. Carson. Two weeks later she left with her family to Germany. Several months of correspondence resulted in a proposal and then a wedding in Warren, Ohio. Cal's job and enrollment at the U of M brought Sandy to Minnesota. They eventually settled in Inver Grove Heights where they raised 3 children. While her family always came first, she had a passion for animals and was one of the first Como Zoo docents. She spent many years as a volunteer doing educational programs with zoo animals around the Twin Cities. In the 1980's she had a regular segment on local TV shows such as Romper Room and Casey Jones. As her family grew, she also became active with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, served on the city parks commission and enjoyed treasure hunting at garage sales. She took writing classes and became a reporter for the school district's newspaper and the local Sun newspaper. After Cal's retirement, they became active charter members in the Ft. Snelling and Camp Ripley military museums. Cal restored an Army jeep, and she would ride along to many parades and expos over the years. Few people know Sandy once had a license to drive a tank! After Cal passed, Sandy moved to Richfield, MN to be near her daughter. While she struggled with many health issues in her final years, her good humor and love of family persisted. Sandy requested no service and will be laid to rest alongside Cal at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Como Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul, MN, the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum of Camp Ripley, MN or a local animal rescue or veterans' assistance organization.

Published on December 4, 2022