Sandra Lein

Sandra Lee Lein

February 17, 1960 – June 26, 2025

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 6:18 p.m., Sandra Lee Lein gained her angel wings. She passed surrounded by loved ones after a long 2½-year courageous battle with leukemia. She fought that hard battle with the mindset, “I am going to beat this. It isn’t going to beat me,” until the very end.

Sandra was born on February 17, 1960, to LeRoy and Betty (Strayer) Atkinson at Abbott Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. She lived in Coon Rapids, MN, before moving to Perham in 1971. Sandra attended Perham High School and graduated in 1978. Later that year, she married her first husband, Sidney Soland, and moved to Vergas, MN, where they had two wonderful children, Eric and Amanda.

In 1991, Sandra married her second husband, Nick Lein. Together they had two more wonderful children, Steven and Kevin. Sandra and Nick would have celebrated 34 years of marriage this August.

Sandra loved gardening so much that they installed yard lights so she could dig in the dirt into the early hours of the morning. She was a proud member of the Lady Slipper Garden Club, where she became a Master Gardener. Many of her other hobbies included garage saling, flea markets, and collecting antiques that she displayed in her flower beds or used for garden decorations. She also was an avid bird watcher, always keeping her feeders full to attract a variety of birds.

One of her most recent passions was working as a group home assistant, taking care of others. She spoke fondly of this role and hoped to return to it someday, but unfortunately, God had other plans.

Sandra will be remembered for her infectious laugh and positive attitude. She was outgoing, fun-loving, and never afraid to start a conversation with anyone she met. Her love for family shined through during game nights, whether playing cards or dice, or simply enjoying conversation and laughter.

Sandra is survived by her loving husband, Nick Lein; children Eric Soland of Vergas, Amanda (Larry) Myers of Perham, Steven Lein of Perham, and Kevin Lein of Detroit Lakes, MN; and grandchildren Aryanna Myers, Avaya Myers, and August Lein. She is also survived by her mother, Betty Atkinson of Perham; siblings Allan Atkinson and LaRae Atkinson of Perham; and her lifelong friend, Diane Bellecourt of Goodrich, ND. She is remembered by many other extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents LeRoy Clayton Atkinson, Lauretta Marie Atkinson, Dorothea Louise Holmoka, and Weir Lavern Strayer; her father, Leroy Roger Atkinson; her father-in-law, Benedict Woodrow Lein; and her mother-in-law, Emily Marie (Olson) Lein.

A Gathering of Family & Friends will be 3:00-7:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service and a Time of Sharing at 4:00 on Saturday, July 12 at the Fort Thunder Shooting Center in Perham.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com