Sandra J. Kilde

Dr. Sandra Jean Kilde, age 86, a longtime resident of Palisade, MN, passed away peacefully in rural Eleva, WI, on March 29, 2025, surrounded by her family after a lengthy battle with cancer. She is survived by her siblings, Steve (Anna) Kilde, Lee Summit, MO; Gerald (Diane) Kilde, Eau Claire, WI; Robert Kilde, Eleva, WI; Richard (Jean) Kilde, Appleton, WI; Ruthann Rasmussen (Kerry), Sidney MT; Julie (Terry) McDowell, Savage, MN, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and her long-time puppy companion, Suzi V. She was proceeded in death by her spouse, Joyline Majors, her parents, Beverly and Harry Kilde, sister-in-law Cindy Kilde, and brother-in-law, Rev. Alton Hillesland. Sandra was born on June 25, 1938, in Eau Claire, WI, the eldest child of Beverly (Johnson) and Harry Kilde. She was a graduate of Mondovi High School, Mondovi, WI (1956); Luther Hospital School of Nursing in Eau Claire, WI (1959); and the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia (1967). She holds a bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, MN (1977) and a master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN (1981). She completed her doctorate in Higher Education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL (1987). Sandra served as the president for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) from 1981-1982 and was a positive force for the nurse anesthesia profession for more than five decades and instrumental in the field of nurse anesthesia education. With less than one year of CRNA experience, in 1968 she became program director at the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia, a role she would hold for more than 28 years. During this time, she spearheaded moving the curriculum from an 18-month certificate program to a 27-month Master of Science degree. In 2008 she was inducted into the Mondovi High School Alumni Hall of Fame for her outstanding achievements and for serving as an inspiring and positive role model for the student body. In 2021 Sandra received the Agatha Hodgins Award for Outstanding Accomplishment for her dedication to excellence in the field of art and science of nurse anesthesia. The 2021 Annual Congress marked Sandra’s 51st consecutive year of attendance. According to her nomination, “Her profound dedication and commitment to the profession is unequaled and clearly has advanced the art and science of anesthesia in ways that continue to impact us today.” Prior to her retirement from clinical practice in 2008, she worked as a staff anesthetist at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN., and adjunct professor at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN. In addition to serving as president for both organizations, she served on numerous AANA and Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists committees. Sandra received the AANA Program Director of the Year Award in 1992 and in 2005 she received the Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator of the Year Award in Washington DC. For 11 years Sandra volunteered as a Trustee on the Board of Directors for Riverwood Healthcare Center, working to establish a trauma unit that currently serves Aitken County and the surrounding areas. Sandra’s devotion to her faith was evident in her love for music and her role as the choir director at Grace Luther Church in McGregor, MN, a position she cherished for many years. The community choir’s Christmas cantatas were a beloved tradition enjoyed by all. Sandra and Joy created the space to have wonderful family gatherings up at Big Sandy Lake in Northern Minnesota over the years. Sandra loved to fish and had conducted several hands-on classes with squeamish nieces and skittish nephews on how to properly fillet a fish. Sandra loved the outdoors, the beautiful North Shore, and spent her weekends and then retirement days on the quiet lake fronts of Big Sandy Lake and for the past 30 years on Lake Jenkins in Palisade, Minnesota. A graveside service will be held on June 6, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at Pine Needle cemetery, Grace Lutheran Church, McGregor, MN. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice. As a family we would like to thank the wonderful people of the Mayo Hospice Community, Talbot Family Funeral Home in Mondovi, WI, and Pastor Michael Issacson from Drammen Lutheran Church for providing their kind services.