Madeline Sandstrom

Madeline Lucy Sandstrom, 95, of Duluth died peacefully with family by her side on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 in the September House in Duluth. She was born on Aug. 28, 1917 in Montreal, WI to Frank and Angeline Alfonsi.


Madeline grew up in Pence, WI and the Hurley area until moving to Duluth in 1944. She married George Sandstrom on Sept. 4, 1954 in Duluth and they started their family. She was employed at Aftenro Home for 7 years and various other jobs retiring in 1976.Madeline was a former member of Sacred Heart and St. Anthony's. She was a very religious person and extremely devoted to her family. Madeline was always worrying about her neighbors and friends, she would check in on them with a phone call regularly.


She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; her sisters, Pauline Mattie, Mary Alfonsi and Rose Alfonsi; her brothers, Xavier and John Alfonsi.


Survivors include her children Michael Sandstrom of Duluth; Joanne (John) Dawson of Eden Prairie, MN; Marlene (Dean) Holt of Long Lake, MN; her sister in-law, Ginny Rettler of Sheboygan, WI; her grandchildren, Christopher Dawson, Emily Holt, Adam Holt; Blake (Lisa) Dawson; a great grandson, Will Dawson and numerous nieces and nephews.


A very special THANK YOU to the all of the staff at the September House for their loving care of Madeline in her final days.


A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 in the Dougherty Funeral Home.


A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service in the chapel.


Her remains will be place in a niche at Park Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, 218-727-3555.