Sandra Stoltenow

Sandra Stoltenow

West Des Moines

Sandra Stoltenow, 72, went home to be with her Savior on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Thursday, April 27th at Trinity Lutheran Church (3223 University Avenue in Des Moines, 50311) where a prayer service will begin at 7 pm. Funeral services will be 10 am Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will follow 12:30 pm Friday at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Sandra was born September 15, 1944 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Alfred and Hattie (Pitka) Aronson. She was baptized November 1944 and confirmed June 1955 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Audubon MN. She was a graduate of Bethany Lutheran College, earned her Bachelor of Science from Moorhead State University, and her Master of Science from North Dakota State University. Sandra began her career as a research technician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. She worked for the Oregon State Board of Health in Portland, OR; as a research technician at Iowa State University; and as a chemist at the Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory. In 1975 Sandra joined the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and served in many capacities including forensic chemist before retiring as a supervisor in 2008.

Sandra married Charles Stoltenow on March 6, 1970 in Vancouver WA. She became a mother to Peter Stoltenow on August 10, 1981 in Des Moines, IA.

She was a passionate member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Moines, teaching Sunday school, singing in the Trinity choir, directing the youth choir, and directing the hand bell choir for adults with mental disabilities. She participated in the resettlement of Lutheran refugees, and served as a volunteer liaison for the Sudanese Mission Lutheran Church.

She was an active member of the community. Sandra taught high school students about forensic science, served as a science fair judge, and participated as a speaker for Women in Science and Engineering for 20 years. In her free time, Sandra enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and was as avid quilter.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Stoltenow of West Des Moines; her son, Peter Stoltenow of Marshalltown; her sister, Ramona (Grant) Ranstrom of Alexandria, MN; and her 5 nieces.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Music Department. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.