Our beautiful sister, Sandra Lee Tennysen of Orem, Utah, passed away Wednesday morning, September 13, 2023.

She was born in Minneapolis Minnesota, on October 22, 1950, to Gordon Gerald and Beverly Ann Naslund Tennysen. Sandy graduated from Robbinsdale high school in Minnesota and from Brigham Young University in Provo Utah. She had many fond memories from her school years and enjoyed her Minnesota friends and the friends that she met at BYU. Sandy excelled in school and later as she worked for UCCU in the fraud department until she retired. She helped solve many cases (some high profile) and was instrumental in serving Justice to criminals.

Sandy loved her gorgeous view of the Mountains. Having a beautiful yard with flowers was one of Sandy’s passions. She spent many hours keeping her yard immaculate. Sandy’s home was always tastefully decorated. She loved to find a good bargain on home interior decorations and enjoyed helping family and friends decorate their homes.

Sandy enjoyed spending time with her nephews when they were younger and enjoyed taking them to movies, arcades and buying them treats. She enjoyed talking to her nieces and nephews and was always ready to share her gift of wisdom and advice. Sandy’s nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends helped Sandy with many things as Sandy grew older and needed assistance. Sandy always expressed gratitude for those who helped her.

Sandy enjoyed buying gifts for, and celebrating with her brother’s family.

Sandy rescued a stray cat from a parking lot on a cold winter night and spoiled Allie for 17 years. The cat Allie would trust only Sandy, and would hide when anyone else came to the home but reappear when Sandy was alone. Her first cat Fade was not as welcoming when Allie joined the family but tolerated Allie. In her later years Sandy enjoyed visiting a cat refuge with her nieces and donated money to help cats in need. Sandy had great compassion for all animals and looked for ways to help them.

Sandy has empathy for and a desire to help children with a cleft palate. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Operation Smile (for children with Cleft Palate).

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents; she is survived by her brother Gerald Gordon (Barbara) Tennysen and her nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 1:00 pm. A visitation will be held prior to the graveside service at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah, 84660 from 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm.