Sandra Cohen, 83

Former Wardner resident, Sandra Lee Cohen (Krecklau), passed away peacefully in her sleep March 13, 2025. She was 83 years old. She was born June 6, 1941, in Missoula, Mont., and resided in Wardner from 1994 to 2014. A celebration of life is planned for Friday, Nov. 7, at her home in Mesa.

Sandra — known to family and friends as Sandy — was a woman of grace and poise, always prim and proper, yet with a spirited sense of adventure that shaped her life. She was the daughter of Albert and Anna Krecklau, and sister to Joann (Zottnick) Heuser and Liela Jaeger. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Joann, and her beloved husband and soulmate, Jack Cohen.

Sandy married Jack on Valentine’s Day, 1976, beginning a love story that would carry them through decades of travel, laughter, and companionship. Both licensed pilots delighted in flying across the country to visit family and friends. When they retired their wings, they took to the open road in their RV, golfing, skiing, and enjoying the freedom of new adventures together. Winters spent in Arizona blossomed into lifelong friendships and Sandy eventually made Mesa her year-round home.

She will be deeply missed by her sister, Liela Jaeger; her daughter, Judy Louden, and husband Michael; her “bonus children,” Jeffry & Jeanne Cohen Mirgon, Sheldon & Rhonda Cohen, and Deidre Cohen-Boyd; and her cherished grandchildren, David Louden, Dmitrij “Dax” Boyd, Christjanna, Clairesse and Joshua (Cohen) Mirgon, Sean Cohen, Deidre (Cohen) & Cameron Potter, Daniel & Nicole Cohen, and Rita (Cohen) & Ryan Swartzentruber. Several nieces and nephews also mourn her loss and will remember her fondly.

Sandra’s life was a balance of elegance and adventure — she valued family traditions, meaningful relationships and also embraced the joy of exploration and discovery. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and treasured memories.

She is interred with Jack at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, their resting place together as it was always meant to be.

Sandy will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her.