It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of Sandra Lucylle Hosselkus Kroll (Sandy).  Sandy passed away on Nov. 16, 2023, at the Del Norte Hospital.  She was born on May 18, 19?? in Del Norte. She spent her life in Creede and the Creede community meant the world to her.

She married her high school sweetheart, Carl Kroll, and they were married until his death in 1996.  She had two children, Dwayne Kroll (Trish) and Marycarol Patz (Tim). She had three Grandchildren, Amanda Bell (Tom) and Patrick Bell (Alyssa) and Adrianna Demos, who lovingly referred to her as “Grandma Hot Dog” and two Step-Grandchildren, Scott Patz (Ashley) and Kaitlyn O’Neil (Chris) who lovingly referred to her as “Grandma Hammer.”  She had two Great-Grandchildren, Margaret “Margie” Bell and Harrison “Harry” Krabacher and six Step-Grandchildren, Zianna and Elleana Williams, Brody and Marlowe Patz and Finn and McKenna O’Neil who lovingly called her Gigi.  She was blessed to have a large family of many siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins. Sandy was the most family-oriented person you will meet but you did not have to be of her blood to be her family.

Sandy was born to Allen and Margaret “Margie” Hosselkus and was one of 17 children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and 12 of her siblings.

Sandy worked as a Deputy/Dispatch for Mineral County for 31 years.  Someone recently said she was not just a part of the Creede community, she was embedded in the community through her numerous volunteer activities which included her many years as an EMT.  Sandy was one of the founding members of the Mineral County Ambulance back in the mid-1970s. She served about 35 years on the board with tireless dedication.  When she retired from being an EMT, she remained on the Board until 2016.  She helped create the EMS service and was a strong supporter.  Among her many accomplishments she helped the Board build the new ambulance barns; purchased many new ambulances; supervised the EMT squad, training, etc.  She assisted in purchasing new, top of the line equipment for the service, wrote countless grants and attended hundreds of trainings.  She kept records, did the ambulance billing for many years and was an invaluable member of the board.  She was also on the Underground Mining Museum Board, Mineral County Democratic Chair.

In addition to her volunteer duties, she assisted many people in the community, including her Mother, siblings, friends and neighbors. She would help by taking them to appointments, providing meals, cutting hair, literally anything they needed.  We often joked and called her “Florence Nightingale.” She loved spending time with her family and friends and she loved a good margarita!  She had many hobbies. One of the first was learning to play the guitar. She taught her Grandson his first guitar chords and his first song on the organ in her living room.  She played Tuesday Night Volleyball for many years. She loved to dance, she loved playing golf and she loved to laugh.  She loved life!  She was loved and she will be forever in our hearts!

Viewings will be held on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., as well as, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Strohmayer’s Funeral Home in Monte Vista. Graveside services will be held at the Creede Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at 11 a.m. All are welcome.  We will have a Memorial/Celebration of Life in the Summer as well. Arrangements in Care of Strohmayer’s Funeral Home.

Donations can be sent to: Mineral County EMS, P.O. Box 381, Creede, CO 81130, and or Mineral County Fire Protection, P.O. Box 298, Creede, CO 81130.