Sandra Carlson

1944 - 2024

Sandra (Kerr) Carlson

October 24, 1944 – January 20, 2024

Sandra (Kerr) Carlson, age 79, went to her Heavenly home on January 20, 2024. She was born in Thomasville, GA on October 24, 1944 to Lyle and Evelyn (Kilpatrick) Kerr. She lived with her mother and grandmother until she was 18 months old, when her father returned from serving in World War II, to see her for the first time.

The family moved to Hastings, NE, where Sandra grew up. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1962. She attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, graduating in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in Education and a minor in French. There, she met Melvin Carlson, and the two were married on June 25, 1966.

Living first in Kearney and then later in Hastings, Sandra was a Special Education teacher for Educational Service Unit 9, and later at Morton Elementary in Hastings. Sandra had a passion and talent for helping educate all children. Her groundbreaking career included being the first special education teacher in several rural communities, as well as creating and presenting strategies for including special education students in regular classrooms.

The couple moved to Grand Island in 1996. Sandra and Mel traveled the country and world together. They visited nearly every state, attending educational and cultural experiences. In her life, Sandra traveled to three continents and eight countries, including educational travel and cultural exchanges in Italy, Greece and Japan.

Sandra knew the gift of friendship, and was active in the community. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, Alpha Kappa Delta educational sorority, PEO, Altrusa, her book club, and the birthday club at Kuester Lake. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, as well as the Saddle Club in Grand Island and Lochland Country Club in Hastings.

Sandra was preceded in death by her father and mother, Lyle and Evelyn Kerr as well as her baby sister Mary Jane. She was also preceded in death by her father and mother in-law, Arthur and Lucile Carlson; brothers-in-law, Richard and Delaine Carlson, Wade Warnke, Donald Metcalf, Kim Torson and sister-in-law, Gloria Carlson.

She is survived by her husband, Melvin; her daughter, Thea (Jack) Cole of Cozad, NE; her twin sons, Clifford (Amy) Carlson of Lincoln, NE, and Darren Carlson and fiance, Pam Haschke of Springfield, NE. She has seven grandchildren: Samuel Cole, Adam Cole and fiance Ainsley Rickertsen, Paul Cole, Heathcliff Carlson, Hannah Carlson, Clara Carlson and Camille Carlson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by her brother, James (Barbara) Kerr; brothers-in-law, Darrel, Victor (Cindy), Maynard (JoAnn), Lewis (Pam), and Eldon (Jean) Carlson, and sisters-in-law, Audrey Warnke, Janice Metcalf, Vivian Torson, and Louise Carlson.

A memorial service for Sandra will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island on January 30 at 10:00 AM. Memorials in Sandra's name may be sent to Hope Harbor or The Willa Cather Foundation. Online condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.