Sandra Jean Irey

Sandra (Albright) Irey, age 81, of Pelican Rapids, MN, died Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Pelican Valley Senior Living. Sandra Jean (Albright) Irey was born December 15, 1939 in Dent, MN. Her parents were Vernon and Gertrude (Thompson) Albright. When she was a year old, they moved to Pelican Rapids, where she lived until she graduated from high school in 1957. She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. Sandy married Wayne Irey on November 30, 1957 at Trinity Lutheran. Together they attended the University of Minnesota, where Sandy earned an Associate Degree in Medical Technology. She worked for many years as a lab technician at Lufkin Medical Laboratories in Minneapolis. In 1977 Sandy and Wayne moved home to Pelican Rapids, where Sandy was an active member of the community. She followed her father’s footsteps as Secretary/Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce, a position she held for 20 years. She was involved with the committee that built the public swimming pool; she was a member of the Community Service Club, Oktoberfest Committee, and Trinity Lutheran Church Property Board. She and Shirley Ralston created the Pass It On Thrift Store, where Sandy served on the board until 2015. As a member of the Park Board, Sandy helped spearhead the development of the Veterans Memorial River Park. In 2007, Sandy received the Chamber of Commerce Pride Award. Sandy was an outdoorswoman. She loved deer hunting, skiing, fishing, and gardening. Some of her adventures include whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon; salmon fishing on Lake Michigan; skiing in Colorado; horseback riding in Maplewood State Park and the Boundary Waters; and deep-sea fishing off the coasts of Florida and Bermuda. Sandy and Wayne loved to travel, and visited Scotland, London, Italy, Germany, and Maui. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Wayne. She will be greatly missed by her three children, Steve (Diane Knutson) Irey, Detroit Lakes, MN; Ann (Tom) Henderson, Grand Forks, ND; and Craig (Roxanne) Irey, Adams, WI, along with 5 grandchildren: Justin Irey and fiancée Alison Fox, James Henderson, Elva Henderson, Morgan Irey, Robert Irey; and many cousins and friends. Burial will be at Ringsaker Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of life at 1:00 p.m. at Maplewood State Park, Josh Hanson Memorial Building with Pastor Eric Schwirian and Allen Westby, S.A.M. officiating with lunch and fellowship to follow. The funeral service will also be uploaded at a later time to our website if you are unable to attend. Memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley. Sandra's Memorial Folder