Mona Sandberg

Mona Marie Sandberg (Vance), age 85, passed into heaven's arms on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at her home in Missoula, Montana. She was born in Telluride, Colorado on November 20, 1937. Preceded in death by parents, Ralph and Hope Vance (Smith) and her brother Dean Vance.

She loved growing up on the OXO Ranch in Stevensville, Montana, and floating the Bitterroot river as a kid. She told great stories from her childhood on the ranch. She was particularly fond of the story about her of her bull calf, whom she raised and transported to Los Angels to win a top Blue-Ribbon prize.

She worked her way through college by working in West Yellowstone as a telephone operator. Mona graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Elementary Education, and was a proud Bobcat. She also was very proud of her Kappa Delta Sorority, and her lifelong friendships with her sisters. After graduating from MSU, Mona became a school teacher in Los Angeles. She then returned to Montana and taught in Helena and Clinton. She loved teaching elementary age children, and considered them her own.

While home on spring break from Los Angeles Mona met Vern Sandberg. The couple married on June 24, 1961 in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. They honeymooned at Lake Mary Ronan at Camp Tuff-it. They lived in Missoula until 1964, when they relocated to the Oregon Coast. After moving to Reedsport, Oregon Mona stayed home to raise their two children Joan and Craig. She always kept a large garden. Her roses were perfect, and she had an eye for beauty and color which she expressed in the collection of art through out her home and garden. She was a talented cook and cake decorator. Most of all she loved being a grandma and spoiling her grandchild. Mona and Vern loved the outdoors, and often had grand camping adventures all over the Northwest. Upon Vern's retirement, they moved back to Missoula. They also loved their time snow birding in Arizona, but Mona was so happy to return to the Bitterroot Valley. Mona was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend who will be greatly missed.

Left to cherish Mona's memory are her husband, Vern, children Joan (Henry) Johnson, Craig (Senta) Sandberg, four grandchildren (Megan, Darci, Payton, and Zachary), and six great children (McKenzie, Kaiden, Garrett, Evan, Connor, and Lucas), She also has three sisters-in-law: Cathy Hilding, Karen Balster and Romona Vance, and two brothers-in-law: Dave and Jim Sandberg with many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

We miss you, but heaven is lucky to have you! Burial will be sometime in the warmer months of '23 in the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at gardencityfh.com.