Gerald “Jerry” Willard Sandstrom
Gerald “Jerry” Willard Sandstrom, 78, of Benson, MN passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026 at home on the farm surrounded by family. Born to Irene Dahlbom and Darrell Foote on July 8, 1947 in Faribault, MN. Gerald was adopted and raised by Willard and Margaret Sandstrom in Benson, MN. He graduated from Benson High School in 1965, and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Business and Finance in 1968. With his entrepreneurial spirit he went on to co-found Packhorse Liquor in Deadwood, South Dakota, WASP Inc. in Glenwood, MN, and the Cloverleaf Supper Club in Benson, MN.
Gerald married Marlys Klyve in 1967 having two children Heather (Sandstrom) Jellum of Starbuck, MN, and Chad Sandstrom of Burtrum, MN. Gerald married Sandra Jensen in 1974 having two children Gerald Sandstrom II of Bloomington, MN, and Aurora (Sandstrom) Whittet Best of Saint Louis Park, MN.
He was most proud of his children, living on the family farm, the creation of his wind turbine, and breeding a new chicken variety; the Black Buttercup. He enjoyed karaoke, The Rolling Stones, nature, and his motto was “give it all you got”.
He is survived by his children Heather (Kenny) Jellum, Chad (Jennifer) Sandstrom, Gerald (Tiruwork) Sandstrom II, and Aurora (Jonathan) Best, his grandchildren, Britta, Sarah, Sarina, Sylvia, Kylee, Michael, Fiona, Abraham, Lydia, Henry, and Alden, his great grandchild, Ava, his former wife Marlys (Klyve) Gjerdingen, and his sister Rosemary (Steve) Petersen.
Gerald is preceded in death by his biological parents Irene Dahlbom and Darrel Foote, his adopted parents Willard and Margaret Sandstrom, his former wife Sandra (Jensen) Showalter, his brothers Chuck Gregory, and James Sandstrom.
Friends and family are invited to an open house celebration of life on May 2, 2026, from 1-3 p.m at Trinity Lutheran Church, 700 Nevada Ave, Benson, MN 56215.
