Arlene Joanne Sandy

Arlene Joanne “Grandma Red” Sandy, 91, of Fargo, ND, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Elim Nursing Home, Fargo, Nd, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley, surrounded by her family.

Arlene was born on May 25, 1933, to Howard, Sr. and Orda (Olson) Smith in Fargo, ND. She grew up in Fargo where she attended school. She was united in marriage to Edwin E Johnson in April of 1950 in Fargo, ND. She worked at Dutch Maid in Fargo for many years as a server and everyone there loved her as she always had a gift to chat and made everyone’s day with a friendly smile and great service. She owned and operated A&D’s corner café in Fargo, she worked in the marketing department at Black Lady’s store in Fargo, and at St. Vicent De Paul in Fargo. She also provided daycare for local families for nearly fifteen years. Upon retiring, she worked at Comfort Suite in Fargo.

Arlene was loved by many and loved to chat (if you had time to listen) and always made you feel welcome. She loved roller skating in her younger years, bowling, going to church, traveling, spending time at the lakes, going to her grandchildren’s hockey games or other sports, and spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her five children, Gayle (Leao) Erfle, Fargo, ND, Sandra (Darrell) Stahlecker, Karen (Darryl) Riegel, Fargo, ND, Edwin Johnson, Fargo, ND, and Chris (Jerry) Beaulieu, Fargo, ND; twelve grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; niece, Deb (David) Asplin; nephew, Tom (Lori) Arechigo; and many other loving relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her late husbands, Edwin Johnson, Sr., Daryl Finch, and Curtis Sandy; daughter, Cynthia Johnson; sister, Audrey Longie; brother’s, Donald and Howard Smith; niece, Susie Arneson; and nephew, John Arechigo.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 29, 2024, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. A livestream of the service will be available on Sandy’s webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a guestbook and video tribute may also be found. Final resting place will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.