Sandra K Rutjes

Sandra Kay Rutjes, 81 of New London, died unexpectedly Monday, November 3, 2025, doing exactly what she loves best, playing the slots at one of her favorite casinos, Jackpot Junction. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2025 at the Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Spicer City Cemetery.
Sandy was born July 31, 1944, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, MN to Garnet and Olaf Gjerde. She grew up in New London and graduated from New London High School.
A devoted fan of Elvis, she fell hard for a local man who, back in the day, was a dead ringer for him. Sandy married Dick Rutjes on June 30, 1962, at Trinity Lutheran Church, New London.
A true enthusiast of life, Sandy had five great loves: her beloved husband Dick; playing cards and games, especially buck euchre and garbles; the rhythmic clink-clink-clink of a winning slot machine; golf in her younger years; and being immersed in water. Before her casino days took center stage, Sandy was known to spend entire summers enjoying one of the many different lake homes that her and Dick lived in before settling into their final home together on Skataas Lake, where they lived for many years. Sandy swam, floated and cruised around the lake whenever possible. At times, she even enjoyed fishing with Dick. During her winters in Arizona, you'd most likely find Sandy at the pool, playing water volleyball or simply soaking up the sun. Sandy was very popular with the neighbors both in Arizona and Minnesota.
Sandy was a hardworking woman with a knack for cleaning. Her home and cars were an immaculate shrine to Windex and Bleach. Their cars were detailed regularly, whether they needed it or not. She was so meticulous that you could, quite literally, eat off her kitchen floor. She also put those cleaning skills to good use by working at the bus barn in Willmar all the way into her 70s. When she drove school bus, the kids were as excited to see her as she was to see them. Her joy was infectious.
Traveling was not something that she enjoyed but she would do it in a heartbeat just to spend time with her sisters on their annual trips. Sandy along with Dick, put on many miles to visit family and friends. She absolutely loved people.
Sandy is survived by her siblings Ken (Ruth) Gjerde, Tom (Sandy) Gjerde, Carol Mae (Mike) Kastel, Rod (Nancy) Gjerde, and Rhonda (Jim) Fangmeier; brother-in-law, Dean Hagen; sister-in-law, Janet Warne; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and SO many friends.
Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; parents, Olaf and Garnet; sister, Ginger Hagen; brother; Bob Gjerde; brother-in-law, Tex Warne; and sisters-in-law, Denise Gjerde and Sandy Gjerde.
Sandy taught us that a well-placed risk is worth taking. She approached her life with unbridled joy and lived life to its fullest. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the local casino, where Sandy's absence will be acutely felt.
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