Sandra Lee "Sandy" Leavelle

Sandra "Sandy" Lee Leavelle, 84, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born on January 7, 1941, in Portland, Oregon, to Ernie and Ber Sayles, Sandy spent her early years in Oregon and Alaska. She attended Laurelwood Academy and Portland Adventist Academy, where she formed many lifelong friendships. While working in Riverside, California, she met the love of her life, Dennis Leavelle, a medical student at Loma Linda University. They were married on June 23, 1963, in Portland and shared 62 wonderful years together. Sandy and Dennis moved to Rochester in 1966, where they raised their three children. Sandy dedicated her life to her family and her church community. She served for many years as a church clerk, bulletin editor, and greeter at the Rochester Seventh-day Adventist Church, and she was known for her kindness, sense of humor, and steadfast faith. Sandy is survived by her husband, Dr. Dennis Leavelle; children Brad and his wife Brenda of Duluth, MN, Becky and her husband Andrew of Sedro Wooley, WA, and Brenda (BK) of Duluth, MN; and grandchildren Jesse, Liv, Sydney, and Kaya. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Doug and Gary Sayles. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the Rochester Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1100 37th St NW, Rochester, MN.