Sandra Beth Winkelkotter

Sandra Beth Drechsel Winkelkotter received her wish to “go home” on June 2, 2026, at the age of 81, after struggling with the debilitating disease of dementia. She was born in Salt Lake City on May 27, 1945, to Gerhardt and Erna Drechsel. Sandie was the youngest of four daughters, including Dolores, LaRue, and Janet. She grew up in the Pioneer Stake, enjoying a happy childhood in a neighborhood where many of her uncles, aunts, and cousins lived. Sandie graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City, later attended BYU where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Textiles, and subsequently earned a nursing degree. She also attended Westminster College, receiving an advanced nursing degree.

Sandie worked as a nurse at LDS Hospital for over 30 years. She spent many of those years on the IV team, where she uniquely used her precision and sewing sensibilities to start IVs on patients. Sandie spent her life both professionally and personally taking care of people and making everyone happy. As the lead IV team nurse at LDS Hospital, she was the first nurse many doctors requested for their most complicated procedures; she was truly as skilled at threading veins as she was at threading needles. Sandie was the ultimate caregiver at work and at home, beautifully and lovingly caring for her mother, Muzzie, for many years.

She met her future husband in high school, though they didn’t become close friends until later in life. They were married on August 31, 2004, in the Salt Lake Temple after a meaningful, long friendship and courtship. Sandie was adventurous and loved traveling to all parts of the world together with her dear husband. Some of Sandie’s favorite trips included New Zealand, Alaska, Hawaii, and various cruises. But to Sandie, her absolute favorite trips were those spent visiting her many nieces and nephews, and stepping in to help neighbors and friends.

To Sandie, all days were special, but Christmas was the most fun and important. She would begin as early as March sewing and making handmade Christmas gifts: blankets, slipper socks, and quilts. Each one was customized for that specific person’s character and personality, and often each individual’s name was beautifully stitched or embroidered. Many of these blankets or quilts, received when the recipients were just children, have now been carried by young adults to college dorm rooms, or are shared by adults with their own firstborn children. This legendary generosity earned her the beloved nickname of "Sandie-Claus."

To Sandie, her faith and testimony of Jesus Christ were the fuel behind her caring and compassionate service. Sandie was a faithful and actively engaged member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served a full-time mission to England, where she famously learned to love fish and chips. Her dedication to serving in the Church continued as she faithfully served for decades in the Primary and Relief Society presidencies, among other callings. Sandie dedicated her life to serving family, friends, neighbors, and her faith. Because of her unconditional love and care for others, Sandie was warmly adopted into many Tongan and Samoan families, and her love for the island people ran exceptionally deep. “Sandie, many hearts are now a little emptier, and you will be deeply missed.”

Sandie was preceded in death by her parents, Gerhardt and Erna (Aderhold) Drechsel, and her sisters, Dolores (Edward Huff) and LaRue (Alvin Rencher). She is survived by her husband, Larry Winkelkotter; her sister, Janet (Helmut Wenzel); and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a viewing on Monday evening, June 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Services will take place at the LDS chapel located at 1401 West 700 South, Salt Lake City.