Ava Nadine Sandberg

Ava Nadine Sandberg (Vizenor)

Ava Sandberg peacefully passed away on July 21st at home in Eureka surrounded by loving family after a brief illness. Nearly a lifelong resident of Eureka, Ava was born on September 4th, 1944.

Ava, who was lovingly called “Bobbie” by her family and “Bama” by her grandchildren, grew up in Eureka where she attended Lincoln Elementary, Eureka Junior High and Eureka High School. In 1962, Ava became “Miss Eureka” in the Miss Eureka Pageant. In 1963, she married Dale Vizenor and took residence on Humboldt Hill. In 1964, the couple started a family with the birth of their first of three sons. At this time, she became a certified Radiology Technologist and worked locally here for St. Joseph Hospital. A short time after, Ava and her family moved to the Cutten area where her three sons were raised. In 1989, Ava moved to the San Jose area where she worked in mammography. In 1999, Ava moved back to Eureka and took a position again in the Radiology Department at St. Joseph Hospital as a mammographer.

Ava enjoyed years of watching her sons grow up in the area and their participation in sports locally. Ava’s many interests including spending time in gardens and on beaches where she enjoyed photographing flowers and seascapes. Ava spent many days going to her family’s cabin on the Van Duzen River. Over the years, the cabin served as a gathering place for family and friends to both revel and relax. Ava also enjoyed the many reunion gatherings of the Class of 1962 and held dear many life-long friends stemming from those years of her life. In recent years, much of Ava’s time was spent doting after her grandchildren.

Ava was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth William Sandberg.

Ava is lovingly survived by her mother, Audrey Sandberg; her sons, Todd Vizenor, Troy Vizenor and wife Nancy, Craig Vizenor and wife Marci; her sister, Lynette Sheldrake and husband Tom; her grandchildren, Cayden, Kolton, Landen, Ty, Drew, Ashton and Linea Vizenor; and numerous other nephews, nieces and relatives.

Ava’s loving and giving ways, both personally and professionally, created and nurtured many life-long relationships. Ava will be remembered for her passion for her grandchildren; her unwavering effort to always be there, support, and provide for her family; and her graciousness to friends, co-workers and patients. She was always fun to be with and she brought a wonderful energy with her wherever she went, which we will painfully miss.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service officiated by Pastor Dan Price at the Presbyterian Church in Eureka at 1:00pm on Thursday, July 27th. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka at 2:30pm and continue until 7:00. Further arrangements are being handled by Sanders Funeral Home in Eureka.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the support of friends, the compassionate and caring employees of St. Joseph Hospital and Hospice of Humboldt.

If you would like to make a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers, please consider Hospice of Humboldt or the American Cancer Society.

Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.