Sandra Diane (Sherman) Nelson
The Western News | UPDATED 1 hour, 16 minutes AGO
Sandra Diane (Sherman) Nelson passed away in Libby at her daughter’s home on Oct. 11, 2026. She was surrounded by her family.
She was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, Nov. 3, 1938, to E.P. and Iris Rae Sherman.
The first of many moves was to Bremerton, Washington at age 3. Then she moved to Bozeman, Montana when she was in the sixth grade. She graduated from Gallatin County High School in 1956, “Go Hawks”.
Sandra married Boyd Nelson in 1957. They had three children: Ernest, Julie and Jeffrey. Boyd's job as a drywall contractor led them to many parts of the U.S. They lived in Noth Dakota, California, Tennessee, Hawaii and back to Bozeman. They finally settled in Libby, Montana in 1972 and she said, “No more moves!”
Sandra’s first secretarial job was with a CPA, then a real estate office, and then the Libby School system, where she retired after 28 years. After retiring she and Boyd enjoyed traveling to Alaska and Virginia to weddings, new grandchildren and watching grandkids and great-grandkids play baseball.
Her hobbies included playing cards, bowling, reading, knitting, sewing, quilting and volunteering. Sandra belonged to Eastern Star, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center Auxiliary, Royal Neighbors of America and Libby Christian Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband Boyd Nelson; father E.P. Sherman; mother Iris Biladeau; stepfather Merle Biladeau; two stepbrothers Gene Pearce and Merle Biladeau Jr.; in-laws Frank and Naomi Nelson.
Sandra is survived by her sons Ernest Nelson and Jeffrey (Pam) Nelson; daughter Julie (Kelly) MacDonald; brother Larry (Mimi) Biladeau; sister Karon Begeman; grandchildren: K.C. (Karie) MacDonald, Stacey (Ron) Koelsch, Jason (Kara) MacDonald, Kelly (John) Gies, Michael (Erica) Nelson, Lorianne (Shawn) Sullivan, Jonathan (Jennifer) Nelson, Nic (Abi) Nelson, Lindsay (Michael) Cashman, and Nathan (Maggie) Nelson; and great-grandchildren: Kade, Kody, Bailey, Kylee, Kinsey, Katie, Kolt, Colt, Emelia, Jeffrey, Anna, Charli, Brody, Paige, Zoejane, Aidaleigh, Jesse, Genevieve, Edith, Vienne and Thomas; great-great-grandchild Ezra.
A celebration of life will be held next summer.
Donations may be made to: Wings (Libby, Montana), St. Judes Children Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children.
Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnakenbergfh.com.