WASILLA, AK – Janet Lucia (Hede) Sandstrom, 85, went home to Jesus Saturday evening, Oct. 14, 2017, at her home surrounded by Love and family. She was born in Stockholm, Maine, on Feb. 23, 1932, the daughter of O. Elliot and Hilma (Nelson) Hede. She was the sixth of twelve children.
She graduated from Caribou High School in 1949. She married Dale Sandstrom in 1951. Janet and Dale moved to Alaska in June of 1951 where they raised five children. Janet traveled with Dale through Alaska on various construction projects and they made home in Cordova, Anchorage, and Willow, until 2010 when they moved to Florida where they stayed until 2016 when they moved back to Alaska.
Janet was known for and enjoyed serving her family, friends, and strangers. Cooking and baking talents were enjoyed by everyone from construction camps to church and family gatherings. She taught her children and grandchildren the art of “Mom/Grandma’s Apple Pie”. Her steadfast faith in God served her though her life as wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma, daughter, sister, friend, pastor’s wife, realtor, construction camp worker, laundromat owner, poet, artist, and reader.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Dale Sandstrom of Stockholm; two sons, Michael Sandstrom and his wife, Timi, of Wasilla, Timothy Sandstrom and his wife, Kelly, of Wasilla; three daughters, Starr Bynum and her husband, Rob, of Wasilla, Marcia Conn and her husband Ken, of Wasilla, Polly Jackson and her husband, Jerry, of Seagrove, Fla.; a brother, Harold Hede and his wife, Andrea, of Eustis, Fla.; three sisters, Kathy Robinson and her husband, Rocky, of New Sweden, Patricia Langen and her husband, Jerry, of Old Town, and Gladys Merritt of Orono; 14 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents; six brothers, Nelson, Howard, Richard, Johnny, Daniel, and Keith; and one sister, Bertha Rasmussen.
A memorial service was held 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Summit Worship Center, 125 W. Riley Ave., Wasilla, AK 99654. Donations can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 8 Donworth St., Stockholm, ME 04783. A memorial service will be held in Stockholm, Maine, in the summer of 2018.
