Sandra Jean Stephan

A much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Sandra J. Stephan of Hugo, Minnesota passed away peacefully in her home on March 19, 2026. Born in St. Paul on January 16, 1949, Sandy's life was a testament to love, faith, and the service of others.

Sandy worked as a legal secretary to Jerome D. Ciresi for many years while raising her children, Tom and Lisa, and volunteering to help with their many activities, including scout leader, soccer and softball coach, and anything in between. She was always an active member of her church, first at St. Mary's of Stillwater, and, after her return from California, at St. Genevieve's of Centerville, serving at various times as lector, bible study leader, eucharistic minister, Sunday School teacher, board member, and funeral ministry member. An avid gardener and baker, Sandy loved sunny summer days where she could check on her tomato and pepper plants and pick a few flowers as much as she loved cool days that allowed her to bake cookies, cakes, and chocolate merengue pies to her heart's content. Sandy also loved playing Scrabble with her husband, George, or cards with anyone who happened to visit.

She will be missed by her loving husband of 21 years, George; her children, Thomas Higgs (Silvia) of Stillwater and Lisa Higgs (Tobias Köhler) of Rochester; her grandchildren Thalia and Isy Köhler and Ash and Talen Higgs; and her stepsons Ron (Rebecca) Stephan of Culver City and Mark (Kryss) Stephan of Monrovia; as well as numerous extended family members and friends. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Emma and Eugene Boeckermann.

A memorial service to celebrate Sandy's life will be held on Tuesday, March 31, at 11:00 AM at St. Genevieve's Parish Community Center. A brief visitation before the service will begin at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf.