Sandra Reichel

Sandra May Reichel, was born May 7, 1940, and passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.  She left this world as quietly and privately as she lived her life.  Mom worked various office jobs over her lifetime, the longest, and her favorite, as office manager of Hill Electric in Madison.  But being a mother is what she wanted to do with her life.  And she was very good at it.  Mom raised six children, four of her own, and two she loved as her own. She taught us to smile often, to laugh in the face of adversity, to joke our way through uncomfortable situations, and to live life with as much love as possible.  She believed that nothing is as important as family.  She showed us in her actions, as well as her words, that each one of us was loved and important. Mom raised us using two major pieces of advice she received from her first mother in law: Never yell at a child for laughing or having fun; and, when your child speaks to you, always pay attention.  Our words mattered to her, and that showed us that we mattered to her.  She spanked us only when we did something that could endanger our safety.  She grounded us only when we lied. And she loved us always.  Mom was our friend, our pride, and our protector.  She protected us with the ferocity of a lioness protecting her cubs.  Her parenting, her life’s mission, created some very happy, firmly grounded adults. While Mom is no longer with us physically, she will always be with us in our hearts, our memories, our actions, and our determination.  This poem was found among her things, and was a perfect description of the end of her life… So Let It Be Let me die peacefully in my own bed, when the work is done and children raised, and my full share of tears and laughter spent. I want to write The End to life, though hand grows weak and letters dim. I have watched the old die. There comes a time when, face to wall and food untouched, they choose to sleep. So let it be with me.             And so it was for her.  Mom has now said good-bye to the Alzheimer’s that destroyed her brain, and retains her memories once again.  The man who adored her in life, is by her side once again.  And our Mom is happy, once again.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park Street (608)835-3515