Sandra M. Morken

Sandra Mae Morken passed away in Grand Forks, ND on October 23, 2022 at the age of 92.

Sandra was born August 15, 1930 to William Ralph and Alma Mae Page in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1948 and earned her RN from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in 1953. In April 1951, Sandra married Carl Morken. They lived in Grand Forks and had four children, Mark, Dawnn, Carla, and William. Sandra worked as a nurse prior to the birth of their second child.

She was an active member in bridge clubs, the neighborhood foreign foods club, the Faculty Wives Club, Sioux Boosters, and United Lutheran Church. One of her great joys was spending time at her lake place with family and friends, as well as going on many family camping trips with close friends Donna and George McEnroe and their children. As a devoted mother and grandmother, Sandy loved to attend their many programs and sporting events. She was also a loyal Sioux fan and attended countless UND athletic events with her sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Bob Middleton. She had a special place in her heart for her dear nieces, Lynn and Joan Middleton. Sandy loved crossword puzzles, word jumbles and was an avid reader. She also enjoyed doing counted cross stitch, Norwegian Hardanger embroidery, and created quite a collection of Norwegian Klokkestrengs. She had an artistic eye and a flair for fashion and interior decorating; she indulged her many plants with loving care. Sandy loved entertaining and never met a dish she couldn’t improve with just a few simple additions. She will be remembered for the warmth of her voice on the phone, her welcoming ways with friends and strangers alike, and her unstoppable spirit. She had a great sense of humor and loved hearing or telling a good joke. She relished a good conversation on just about any topic, from recipes to healthcare to current events. You could count on her to “tell it like it is.”

Sandra is survived by her children: Dawnn (Dennis Kyle) Morken, Carla (Don) Kramer, and William (Alice) Morken; grandchildren: Jamie (Eric) Macho, Sean (Katie) Kyle, Kelly (Jenna Shallman) Kyle, Tyler Simmers, Tanner (Anna) Simmers, Toby Simmers, Tiahna (Alex) Edevold, Jordan, Taylor, Jayden and Zakery Kramer, Keilani and Kiara Holweger, Trenor Morken; and great grandchildren: Jackson, Solveig and Charlotte Macho, Rowan and Simon Simmers, Veda and Selah Simmers, Aidan O’Shea and Layla Morken, Nellie Kyle and Charlie Stoffel, and Alma Edevold; and many nieces and nephews. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mae Page, stepmother Mae (See) Page, sister Carol (Robert) Middleton, and infant son Mark Page Morken.

Services will be held Monday, November 7, at United Lutheran Church beginning with visitation at 10:00 and the service at 11:00 with a luncheon to follow.The service will be livestreamed on United Lutheran’s Facebook page. Memorials to CVIC, United Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choice.