Sandra L. Carlson

Sandra L. Carlson, 82, of Spring Valley, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on March 2, 2026 at the Richard L. Owen’s Hospice Home in Peoria.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 6, at Holy Trinity Church in Cherry with Rev. Gregory Jarzombek OSB officiating. Burial will be at Valley Memorial Park in Spring Valley. Visitation will be in the church on Friday from 9:00 AM until time of services. The Hurst Funeral Home in Ladd has been entrusted with her arrangements.

Sandy was born in Spring Valley on September 3, 1943 to George and Pat (Fanti) Gallis. She married Sheldon Carlson on December 1, 1962. She worked at Ben Franklin in Spring Valley and Monogram Magic in Peru, and one of her most important jobs was raising her daughters. She enjoyed going to the YMCA to walk and swim with her friends. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, and doing crossword puzzles, and she loved living on the farm.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Sheldon; two daughters, Lisa (Paul) Matthews of Metamora and Carla (Jim) Senica of La Salle; four grandchildren, Cassidy (G.W.) Leynaud of Peru, Claire (Mikeal Mortimer) Senica of Peru, Evan (Tegan Roberts) Matthews of Bloomington, and Caden (Lily) Matthews of Madison, WI; two great-grandchildren, Crew and Blake Leynaud; one sister, Kathie Zecca of Peru; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, Lou Zecca.

Pallbearers will be Paul Matthews, Jim Senica, Evan Matthews, G.W. Leynaud, T.J. Zecca, and Jeff Borelli.

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