Gwen Ruth Sandsted

On Monday January 23, Gwen Ruth Sandsted of Dutcher Road Freeville, slipped the bonds of this life with surety, dignity and grace.
She was born on March 29, 1922 in Hastings, NE. The daughter of Carl and Mabel Swanson, Gwen grew up on the family farm near Holdrege, Nebraska. As a member of "The Greatest Generation" she endured the Depression, the "Dust Bowl Days" and World War Two. To help with the war effort, she worked in a bomb factory where she was responsible for drilling the holes and inserting detonators in the warheads.

She graduated from Holdrege High School in 1939, going on to earn a Bachelors of Arts degree in Education at Kearney State Teachers College.
She then taught school in Nebraska before marrying Roger F. Sandsted in Holdredge in 1949, Shortly after, they moved to St. Paul, Minnesota where her sons Craig and Jeff were born in 1951 and 1953. In 1954, they moved to Parma Idaho where their third son, Eric was born just prior to moving to Lansing, N.Y. where Gwen taught in Lansing's Elementary School System for 20 years.
Gwen was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden, Dryden Historical Society, Fortnightly Club of Dryden and P.E.O Chapter, Ithaca. She was an avid and enthusiastic gardener who worked tirelessly on her many assorted gardens in her yards and around the house. She made quilts of beautiful, intricate designs for all her grandchildren. In all of her creative efforts, she never viewed them as chores or tasks but more accurately as opportunities to add to the beauty of this world.
Gwen is survived by her three sons, Craig Sandsted of Columbia, SC, Jeffrey (Reene) Sandsted of Groton, NY and Eric Sandsted of Freeville, NY; grandchildren, Paul Sandsted of Irmo, SC, Travis Sandsted, Sarah Sandsted; great grandchildren, Jada Sandsted,Ryan Sandsted and Mason Sandsted; nieces and nephews, Carl (Judy) Swanson and Martha Williamson. In addition, she was predeceased by her brothers, Robert and John Swanson and nephews, Randy and Scott Swanson and Brent Sandsted.
Memorial services will be held at 11 am, Monday, January 30, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church of Dryden with Rev. James Hicks officiating. The family will receive friends after the service at the church. Private burial will be in Green Hills Cemetery, Dryden, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard, PO Box 42, Dryden, NY 13053.