Sandra Jane Metz, 79, Onalaska, WI (formerly of Garrison, ND) passed away on November 26, 2023 at Valley View Health Care and Rehab in Houston, MN, where she was being cared for during her last stages of dementia.

Sandra was born on February 16, 1944, to John and Ingeborg (Bratterud) Lynnes. She was raised on the family farm with her much loved 8 siblings. Sandra attended school in Rolette, ND, and went on to Minot Normal School (now Minot State University) to obtain her two-year degree in teaching. Sandra taught elementary school in Mohall and Williston before moving to Garrison, ND to work at the Bureau of Reclamation. It was in Garrison that she met Gordon Metz, whom she would marry on January 10, 1976. Gordon and Sandra eventually settled near Garrison, ND, where they raised their two daughters, Leah and Jaclyn.

Sandra enjoyed her time in Garrison where she spent many days volunteering as a Sunday School teacher at St. Paul Lutheran church, a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troops, and working as a substitute teacher at surrounding elementary schools. She even substitute taught in her daughter’s classes at times, which her girls thought was neat when they were younger, but annoyed them greatly as they got older.  Sandra spent much time reading to her daughters (a favorite of hers), as well as practicing flash cards with them for classroom flash card competitions, and then practicing spelling words with them for many a McLean County spelling bee. She also spent a lot of time sitting by her daughters and helping them in their early years of practicing piano.

After Gordon’s retirement, he and Sandra moved to Mesquite, NV for warmer winters. When their grandkids started arriving, they moved to Onalaska, WI, to be closer to their daughters and their families. Gordon and Sandra enjoyed family time as well as polka and waltz dance events in the Wisconsin area. Sandra also enjoyed her grandkids for several years before her worsening dementia caused her to move first to a memory care facility, and then to a nursing home.

Sandra is survived by her daughters, Leah (Chad Hilton) Metz of Onalaska, WI; Jaclyn (Bryan Thorson) Metz Thorson of Hudson, WI; grandchildren Nicholas Hilton and Sydney Thorson; siblings David (Miriam) Lynnes and Roxanne Mott; sisters in law Avis (Dan) O’Connell and Jacquelyn Lynnes, family friend Toni Sims, and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by husband Gordon, her parents, infant sister Marie, brothers Lester and Donovan Lynnes, sisters Yvonne Drege, Lola Hanson, Jeanine Aarhus, and Mildred Monson, as well as brothers in-law Allen Drege, Orlin (Bill) Hanson, David Aarhus, Raymond Monson, and Robert Mott.

Special thanks to Eagle Crest Memory Care in Onalaska, WI, and Valley View Health Care and Rehab in Houston, MN for the excellent care she received during her last years of dementia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or donor’s choice.

There will be a service in North Dakota next summer to celebrate Sandra’s life. More details will follow in the coming months.

Sandra is remembered by her daughters and friends and family as a caring person with a great sense of humor. Sandra was proud to be of 100% Norwegian ancestry, and noticed with great interest during a trip to Norway that many of the headstones said “takk for alt,” which translates in English to “thanks for everything!” Sandra was grateful for the nice life she had with Gordon, and all the good times with her daughters, family and friends, and we are grateful for the time we had with her. Takk for alt!