Sandra F. Gale

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Gale, Sandra Faye (Warren) Born February 11, 1933 in St. Paul, MN. She died peacefully on Wednesday January 8, 2014, surrounded by the love of her family and friends, after a long and fruitful life. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elsie Paul Charboneau, her father, Bernard M. Warren, and her infant son, Scott Alexander Gale. She is survived by her husband of sixty years, Stuart E. Gale; her children, S. Warren (Mary Jo) Gale, Sharon (Michael) Leonard, Steven (Sharon Boone) Gale, Susan Beth Gale and Sarah Jane Gale; her sister, Shirley Hancock of Litchfield; six grandchildren and her beloved pet dog, Sundance. Sandra was a special person, born with a sense of civic responsibility and an altruistic wish to make the world a better place. She graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1950 and the University of Minnesota in 1957. She moved with her family to Bloomington in 1964. There she was appointed to the City Park and Recreation Commission. During her tenure, the city acquired Dred Scott Playfield. She was also a member of the committee which designed and built the Dwan Golf course. During that time when she made a home for her family and raised five children, she also served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Troop Leader and PTA President. She was nominated by the League of Women Voters as "Woman of the Year". She also served on the Bloomington Promotion and Development Commission, the Industrial Commission and as an organizer for the Bloomington Amateur Hockey Association. She became a leader for women politically and chaired the election campaign for MN Representative Graw. She sought endorsement to run for the MN legislature, and lost that bid after 23 ballots. In 1975, Bloomington had a very popular mayor. No Republican Party male had the courage to run against him. Sandra challenged the young man because, in her ideals, no one should get elected to public office by default. Despite a vigorous race, she lost to the incumbent. She was one of 25 people appointed to the Metropolitan Zoo Advisory Board whose task it was to recommend a site for a new zoo. Because of Como Zoo, 24 of the 25 Board members favored a St. Paul site. Sandra alone recommended a 400 acre site in Apple Valley. She followed the legislation through its enactment and the Apple Valley site is where the Minnesota Zoological Garden is now located. Her greatest pride in life was her five children, and their education was of critical importance. She was extremely proud of the fact that all of her children had earned a four year college degree. She loved to travel in our tent trailer, be active in her community, read, sing in the church choir, go fishing and raise roses. She loved her church and wanted her children to be raised in it. She prayed to God daily for counsel, guidance and forgiveness. Her family already misses her, her guidance and love. She will be deeply missed. Visitation 10:00 A.M., Services 11:00 A.M. on Monday, January 13, 2014 at Normadale Hylands United Methodist Church, 9920 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, MN 952-835-7585. Washburn-McReavy.com Werness Brothers Chapel 952.884.8145

Published on January 12, 2014