Loretta Jo Sandberg

Loretta Jo Sandberg, age 83, of Stratton, NE passed away at her home in Stratton on Monday, November 4, 2024.

Loretta was born September 29, 1941, to parents Alois and Mary (Sramek) Lorens. She was one of seven children, growing up on the family farm. She attended country school and was taught by her sister Delores, until transitioning to school in Stratton. Loretta graduated from Stratton High School with the Class of 1958. She attended McCook Community College for two years and went to summer school in Kearney to earn her teaching degree. She then taught school in Sutherland NE for two years. This is where she met her beloved, adventurous and little bit ornery husband, Roland. 

On June 1st 1963, Loretta married Daniel “Roland” Sandberg in Stratton. The couple lived briefly in Lincoln, NE, where their first son “Danny” was born. In 1964 they moved back to the family farm South of Stratton, where they took over farming operations. They were blessed with three more children, Gina, Chris and Deborah, (who passed away shortly after birth).

Loretta was accustomed to life on the farm and loved driving the tractor until she was well into her 70s. In addition to helping Roland around the farm, raising her children and tending a large garden, she took pride in maintaining the yard, and was constantly mowing. She was adamant about great care for the cattle and was always checking to make sure they had water and salt. She enjoyed taking on a bottle calf or two, and her cats and dogs were a priority. Outside of farm life, Loretta drove the Stratton School Bus for twenty years and would provide treats for her kids. She enjoyed the camaraderie with the other bus drivers who were also her good friends.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Altar Society and belonged to the order of Secular Franciscans. She also sang in the choir and took great pride in looking her best for Sunday Mass. The evidence of her faith was seen in her consistent weekly attendance of Sunday and midweek Mass. She went on many religious retreats and enjoyed sharing the highlights of her trip to Rome, with her sister “Rosie”. She was a dedicated and devout member of the parish, and she loved her church family. 

Fishing was one of her great past times, and she enjoyed weekends at Ogallala, NE with the Sandberg crew. Most Sunday afternoons in the summer were spent at Swanson Lake. The highlight was a family BBQ and she always took a cooler of food and drinks for all to share. She will be remembered for being an amazing cook who also loved a good meal. Her fried chicken will be missed by all! Any chance she got, Loretta enjoyed an evening out at the Skyline Grill in Benkelman, or a nice brunch after church. Anyone who knew Loretta knew she was a talker and could talk your leg off, even if you were a stranger. 

Loretta’s greatest loves were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She attended almost every sporting event, play, band or choir recital. Even with nineteen grandkids and fifteen great grandkids, she never missed sending a birthday card, birthday money or a Christmas gift. She made holidays special and created great traditions for her family. Christmas with her children and grandchildren was a site to behold, presents to the ceiling and wrapping paper flying. It brought her great joy!

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roland Sandberg; infant daughter, Deborah Ann; and siblings, Francis “Pat” Lorens, Lucille Wahrman, Delores Huss and Louie Lorens.

Those left to celebrate her life include her children, Dan (Mary) Sandberg and Chris (Paula) Sandberg, all of Stratton, NE, and Gina Saba of Parker, CO; sisters, Mary Lou Vrbas of McCook, NE and Roseanne Owens of Imperial, NE; nineteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren and a host of extended family members and lifelong friends.

Rosary with family greeting friends will be held Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stratton, NE.

Funeral service will be held Monday, November 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stratton, NE with Father Matt Eickhoff, officiating. 

A burial will follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Altar Society, c/o Father Matt Eickhoff, PO BOX 447, Benkelman NE  69021