Carol B. Lebakken-Sandy

Carol Beth Lebakken was born at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo, ND on December 16, 1957. She was the fourth child of Marvin and Virginia (Gorman) Lebakken. She grew up on a farm just outside Kragnes, MN. Carol graduated from Moorhead High School in 1976 and later attended Alexandria Technical College and received a degree in interior design. 

Carol was married to Brian Nelson on November 9th, 1979. Following their marriage, they lived north of Glyndon, MN where they had three children, Blake, Jessica and Toni. They then moved to Choteau, MT from 1987-1990 and Idaho Falls, ID from 1990-1995. In 1995 they moved back to Dilworth, MN to be closer to family. 

Carol ran her business, Nelson Interior Design, out of her home in both Montana and Idaho. She was very talented at floor plan design, custom drapery and window coverings. She had a knack for attention to detail and was extremely creative and artistic. After moving back to MN she opened her business, Finishing Touch home decorating and gifts from 1996-2006. After that she enjoyed working from home in various online sales. 

She met her soulmate and best friend, Steven Sandy of Naples, Florida in 2005. They were married on September 16th, 2019. They enjoyed spending time together with their families at the lake in Minnesota and in Bonita Springs, Florida during the winters. She loved spending a majority of her time in the warm sunshine at the beach. She greatly enjoyed kayaking and shelling and made many special memories with friends that she truly cherished. Carol thankfully got to spend the last several years of her life in Florida living the retired life of a snowbird. 

Carol loved her children unconditionally and was an extremely devoted mother. She also adored her grandchildren and loved them fiercely. She instilled in her children and grandchildren to love God in everything they do. She also had a special way of making strong connections with people and creating many unforgettable bonds. She was a mother figure and best friend to many. 

Carol was an avid gardener and took pleasure with her beautiful flower beds in her yards. She also enjoyed genealogy and devoted many years to ancestry research and recently finished a treasured genealogical book including many generations. She took great passion in everything she valued. 

Carol died on Saturday, September 11th 2021, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND. She is survived by her husband, Steven Sandy; son, Blake (Brittany) Nelson and daughters, Jessica Hall and Toni (Joe) Rheault; 5 step-children; 7 adoring grandchildren, Brooklyn, Emma, Kennedy, Quinn, Alena, Lily and Jack; 15 step-grandchildren; older sisters, Joan Geiger, Linda (Victor) Krabbenhoft and Julie Wenzel; and 7 nieces. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Virginia Lebakken; brother in-law, Scott Wenzel; nephew, Matthew Geiger; and many precious pets, including her beloved dog, Tallulah Belle. 

Visitation will be held at 1:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM, on Friday, September 17th, 2021 at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, MN.