Sandra Lasman Bolsta

Sandy Bolsta came into the world on September 30, 1931, and departed on October 17, 2023. With her loving heart and countless acts of kindness, she was the mother that every child deserved and the cherished friend who listened to and comforted all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

While Sandy Lasman was still in high school at Mechanic Arts in St. Paul, she worked at a number of retail and food service jobs before getting hired at Brown and Bigelow, one of the largest producers of calendars in the world. There she encountered a tall, skinny fella named Kent, and changed her last name to Bolsta on Valentine's Day in 1955. The couple settled in White Bear Lake, where daughter Cindy (now Cyn) came along in May of 1956, with Phil making it a foursome the following June.

The family relocated to St. Cloud in 1970. After the kids graduated from Apollo High School and left home, Sandy reentered the world of retail, working at Pier One and Norby's. Later, she nannied for many families and was involved with the newly opened Hospitality House across from the St. Cloud Hospital. She loved helping people and earning her own money, saving it to splurge on trips with Kent, including multiple visits to Cyn who had relocated to Portland, Oregon.

Cyn spent many months in St. Cloud helping Sandy care for Kent, who passed away in 2005. Five years later, after frequent visits, Cyn moved back home and she and Sandy became permanent roommates. As the years passed and Sandy's health issues with seizures, strokes, and falls intensified, Cyn added caregiver to her resume. Son Phil, who lives in Encinitas, California, spent nearly half of the last two years living with and caring for her as well.

Sandy was acclaimed for always offering a listening ear, her decades of clipping and sharing articles via a continuous stream of cards and letters to friends and family, her fabulous rum cakes and lemon meringue pie, and her mad Rummikub skills (playing by the “Sandy Bolsta Rules,” of course).

Left to miss her loving smile and welcoming hugs are her children Cyn and Phil, cherished granddaughter Erin, her hubby Abe, and a beloved great-grandson, along with many wonderful friends including Kelly Kittridge, Lisa and Duffy Barton, and Tim Welch. Special thanks to St. Croix Hospice for making her transition a peaceful one.

Per Sandy's request, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, Sandy asked that you contribute to your favorite charity.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/golden-valley-mn/sandra-bolsta-11503870 for the Bolsta family.