Obituary of Margaret A. Sandeen

Long-time Lodi resident, Margaret “Marge” A. Sandeen, 90, passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on December 4, 2021, from complications of metastatic breast cancer which she courageously fought for nearly six years.  As a middle child out of ten children, Marge was born to Bert and Ruby (Redfield) Frank on March 10, 1931 in rural Todd County, Minnesota where she grew up and graduated from Staples High School in 1948.  After graduating from high school, she moved to Minneapolis and worked at Greyhound Bus Lines.  

In 1955, she drove to Long Beach, California with her best friend where she met her future husband, Daniel “Dan” R. Thomas.  They were married July 13, 1957 until his sudden death in March 1970.  Together, they had three children.  Jeffrey Daniel born Dec 1957, Jodi Rae born Dec 1959, and Wendy Ellen born Dec 1963.  Sadly, Jeffrey passed away at birth.  She worked at various jobs in Long Beach until her and Dan were married and she became a homemaker.  They moved from Long Beach to Lodi in 1964 where Marge remained until she passed.   

Marge met her second husband, William “Bill” A. Sandeen, in 1972.  They were married November 11, 1978 until his death in May 2009.  Together, they owned and operated Arbor Secure Storage in Acampo for over 40 years and Hazel’s Restaurant in downtown Lodi for many years.  Marge and Bill enjoyed golfing for over 35 years together, and with their many friends.  They also learned how to snow ski in their late 40’s and traveled to numerous popular ski destinations in the U.S. and Canada.  Marge and Bill enjoyed traveling, but their most special place to be was in Maui.  They loved the relaxing climate, beautiful ocean, beaches, and golf courses which led them to buy a condo in Kihei.  To them, it was like heaven on earth and they would go regularly for numerous weeks at a time.  

Marge was an excellent golfer and a member of Woodbridge Golf & Country Club for over 53 years.  She was a member of the women’s 18-hole group at Woodbridge G&CC and she golfed regularly up until about one year ago.  She is also an honorary member of the Hole-in-One club, by shooting a Hole-in-One on Hole #7 at Woodbridge G&CC.  Marge was an avid walker and walked daily with friends and, most notably, with her two beloved Norwich Terriers up until they passed away not long ago.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents, 5 sisters, Lorraine, Virgie, Opal, Doris, and Joyce, 2 brothers, Robert and Roger, her son, Jeffrey Thomas, and her loving husbands Dan Thomas and Bill Sandeen.  She is survived by her daughters and son-in-laws: Terri Dannenbring (Tim), Jodi Steiger (Tanen), and Wendy Higgins (Mike), four grandchildren (Tonya Steiger, Trevor Davis, Justin Steiger, Alyssa Davis), and one great grandson (Tallan Steiger).

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, the family asks that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or any charity of your choice. 

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