Alice Elizabeth “Betty” Sande died peacefully in her home Jan. 10, 2016.

She was born Alice Elizabeth Gilbertson on Aug. 24, 1926, in Devils Lake, North Dakota, to Han Reuben and Grace Loretta (Rosenberger) Gilbertson. She attended Devils Lake public schools and then Concordia College (Moorhead), from which she graduated summa cum laude in 1948.

She married Robert Linus Sande on June 12, 1949. Betty taught in elementary and secondary public schools in Devils Lake, Mott, and Fargo, North Dakota, and then in Rochester, Minnesota. She received a Masters Degree in Library Science from the University of Minnesota in 1973, and worked at the Rochester Public Library for a time. From 1972 through 1990, she worked for the Mayo Clinic libraries, initially as the director of patient libraries at St. Mary’s and Methodist hospitals, and then as special projects coordinator in the medical library in the Plummer Building.

Betty enjoyed assisting patients and families as much as assisting physicians and researchers. She was intellectually curious, a voracious reader, a dedicated family historian, and enjoyed history. She and Bob built three homes together and traveled worldwide, especially throughout North America and Europe. In her later years, she particularly enjoyed spending time at the lake home near Bemidji, and any time she could spend with her grandchildren Joshua, Kristin, Michael, Julia, and Nathan.

She will be remembered especially for her contributions and service to others, including but not limited to: Friends of Mayowood; PEO; AAUW; Vesterheim Museum; Sons of Norway; Norwegian American Geneological Center & Naeseth Library; League of Women Voters; Rochester Music Guild; and filled multiple roles at Zumbro Lutheran Church (Sunday School and confirmation teacher, long standing circle member, Koinonia and Bible study member, member of multiple committees and a pastoral call committee, and held the positions of vice president and president of the Zumbro Lutheran Church Women).

Betty is survived by her husband Bob; their children: Jane Sande of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Maine, Susan (Andrew Moran) Sande of Ottawa, Canada, and son Jonathan (Karen Hanson) Sande of Duluth; and their five grandchildren: Joshua Sande, Kristin Sande, Michael and Julia Moran, and Nathan Sande.

She was preceded in death by her parents Hans and Grace; and her brothers: Robert and William.

The family wishes to express gratitude to Doctors Charles Rohren and William Ward of the Mayo Clinic, to all the loving staff at Homestead, Seasons Hospice, and the pastoral staff at Zumbro Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Zumbro Lutheran Church dedicated to the Iambi Lutheran Hospital in Tanzania or to the Norwegian American Geneological Center & Naeseth Library.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at Zumbro Lutheran Church, 624 3rd Ave. SW., Rochester, MN 55902. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until time of the service at the church. The Rev. Lisa Kipp will be officiating with inurnment at Zumbro Lutheran Church Columbarium. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.