Fay Rochelle Sandven

Fay Rochelle (Einerson) Sandven passed away on Monday, August 24, 2026, at Alomere Health. She was 76 years old. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Calvary Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Kviteseid Lutheran Cemetery in Milan, MN.

Fay Rochelle (Einerson) Sandven was born on January 14, 1950, to Everett and Dagmar (Albrecht) Einerson. She grew up in Milan, Minnesota, with her brother, Lowell. Fay was baptized and confirmed at Kviteseid Lutheran Church. She graduated from Milan High School in 1968 and from Concordia College in 1971. Fay and Leroy were married on August 15, 1971, and together they raised two daughters, Andrien and Lauren.

Fay dedicated more than forty years to education, teaching high school English throughout Minnesota and Iowa. After completing a master’s degree at the University of Minnesota, she became a middle school principal. She finished her career as a professional development specialist for the Minnesota State Department of Education. She had a deep commitment to education and continued seeking opportunities to learn in retirement, diving into poetry, theology, and Scandinavian traditions.

Retirement led Fay and Leroy to Alexandria, Minnesota, where they could be close to family and the lake. A self-proclaimed “Minnesota Lake Girl,” Fay loved cruising on the pontoon with Leroy and fishing with her grandkids.

Music was a lifelong passion for Fay. She taught piano lessons and served various congregations from the organ bench. She founded Vikingland Ukes, a ukulele group that became her musical community. Fay gave generously of her musical talent, time, and friendship.

That same spirit of service led her to volunteer with hospice, and she and Leroy even took their beloved cockapoo, Lexy, through therapy dog training so they could bring comfort to others in intensive care units and library reading programs.

Fay was a collector of cookbooks, Viking literature, antique dishes, wooden spoons, ukuleles, and the family traditions she helped create. She had a gift for turning family gatherings into memorable occasions, orchestrating holiday plays complete with music and costumes. Her grandchildren were frequent partners in her adventures, from puppet shows, baking, and tea parties to shared books and countless creative projects.

Fay Rochelle Sandven passed away on August 24, 2026 at the age of 76. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Leroy Sandven; daughters, Andrien (Richard) Schwartz of Wiesbaden, Germany, and Lauren (Matthew Eng) Sandven of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Porter and Karl Schwartz and Larson and Kaarin Eng; brother, Lowell “Einer” (Nancy) Einerson; brother-in-law, John (Cheryl) Sandven; and many nieces and nephews. Fay was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sharon and William Reinmuth.