She was born on March 2, 1932 and died peacefully at home on December 5, 2011, after a brief bout with cancer. She was the oldest of four children to Marshal and Louisa Fischer. She is survived by her husband Paul Sandstrom, and their children, Karen Thompson with husband Larry and David Sandstrom with grandaughters Carolyn and Jennifer all in San Jose, CA. Also sister Mary Ahrens in Illinois, her brother Robert Fischer and family in Woodland CA, sister-in-law Elaine Fischer of Sunnyvale, CA and niece, Jennifer VandenBeukal and her husband, Jeff of San Jose.
Bonnie spent early years with her family living in the desert 40 miles from Barstow, CA where her father was a section foreman for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Her mother drove the children to the highway to catch the school bus. After several moves they settled in Kennewick, WA where Bonnie graduated from high school. She then graduated from Whitworth College & Deaconess Hospital in Spokane,WA with a Nursing degree. She met and became engaged to Paul Sandstrom, a Spokane native who, by coincidence, was born in the Deaconess Hospital. They were married in Kennewick on August 8, 1954 and settled in California after a year in Spokane.
Their home in Los Altos had a guest house for Paul’s widowed mother and invalid sister. In spite of the added burden, Bonnie kept her wonderful good nature and gave her all in support of her architect husband and their two children. She also used her nurse’s training for part time service at Stanford Hospital.
With the children in high school, Bonnie joined the University Women’s Golf group and applied her usual dedication to the sport. When Paul retired in 1987 the family moved to a new home at Ridgemark Country Club near Hollister, CA. Bonnie was active in the women’s golf club.
All who knew her loved her spirit, honesty, intelligence and ready laugh.
Arrangements have been made for a private interment at Alta Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto, CA. followed by a “Celebration of Life” at a later date.
Condolences: wwwblackcoopersander.com
Services provided by: Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home and Gavilan Hills Crematory
