Sandra L. Essert

Sandra "Sandy" L. Essert, age 64, of Moorhead, MN, died Tuesday, January 26, 2010, in ManorCare Health Systems, Fargo, ND, with her family by her side, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Sandra Lee Heier was born on December 17, 1945 to Samuel and Lydia Heine Heier in Jamestown, ND. She grew up and attended school in Moorhead, graduating from Moorhead High School in 1965. Sandy began working at the VA Medical Center as a Dietician at the age of 18. She continued to work in the same position for 45 years until her health no longer allowed her to work. She was married to Reinhold Essert on February 14, 1974. Sandy enjoyed horses, working on the computer, and collecting lighthouses. She also enjoyed spending the summers outdoors in her convertible and enjoying treats at the Moorhead 8th Street Dairy Queen. She was an avid car buff who enjoyed classic cars, especially ragtops. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. She will be missed dearly by those who knew her. She is survived by one son, Jeffrey Shannon Heier of Sylmar, CA; one daughter, Jennifer Rodney Hovde of West Fargo, ND; two brothers, Bill Heier of Anoka, MN and Dennis Miller of Oklahoma City, OK; two sisters, Marlene Loren Helling of Sheridan, WY and Denise Miller of Baltimore, MD; four grandchildren, Curtiss and Taylor Heier and Jordan and Kaitlyn Hovde as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.