Joan “Sandy” Eileen (Sandvig) Peterson, aged 90, peacefully left this world on November 18, 2025, at The Home of the Good Shepherd in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Joan was born on April 23, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minn., to Leonard and Rosine (Engen) Sandvig. Joan was proud of her Minneapolis roots, and she carried that pride with her to St. Paul, Annandale, and Saratoga Springs. Joan’s energetic and tenacious spirit continues to live in the family who loved her.
Joan had a long career as an elementary school teacher, finishing her many years up at Weaver. Her enthusiasm and charisma nurtured young minds and made her beloved by students and staff. Once Joan retired, she could pursue her many talents and passions, which she shared with friends and family—baking banana bars and other goodies, hosting huge holiday gatherings to keep the Sandvig traditions alive, power walking around Lake Phalen and skiing across it when the weather permitted, and golfing with the Keller Women’s Golf Club. Her hole-in-one story is legendary.
The most important of Joan’s passions was speedskating. Joan’s life-long love of speedskating started at Sibley Park with her brothers and sisters. From there the family spent many hours on lakes in Minneapolis, where she proudly wore the Bearcat uniform. She was inducted into the United States Speedskating Hall of Fame, a huge accomplishment, that credited her dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to the sport. Joan even met her late husband, Howard “Howie” Alexander Peterson, Jr. while ice dancing to organ music on long blades, a story of love at first sight. Their daughters, Lynn and Amy, shared the love of the ice, with Howie and Joan encouraging and supporting them as their biggest fans.
Joan was a proud, active Lutheran, devoted to all things Minnesota and deeply connected to her Norwegian heritage and a member of Sons of Norway. Joan flew the Norwegian flag, prepared traditional Norwegian foods for family gatherings, and wore her Norwegian sweaters with flair. Joan traveled to Norway several times to visit relatives and hike, but her most cherished memory was taking her daughters on a coastal cruise of Norway.
Joan spent her later years in Annadale where she was welcomed into the St. John’s Church and enjoyed yoga and gardening with the Improvement Club.
Joan cherished her children, grandchildren, extended family, her Roosevelt High School friends, and her teaching colleagues. She is survived by her daughters Lynn Lampi (Mark) and Amy Peck (Bill); grandchildren Olin Lampi and Hansen, Hudson, Hayden, and Henry Peck; her brother Eugene “Gene” Sandvig (Carolyn); sisters Connie Brunkow (Orville) and Lorraine Carlson (Fred); many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family; and friends old and new.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents Leonard and Rosine (Engen) Sandvig; her beloved husband Howard Alexander Peterson, Jr.; her infant son Jon Peterson; and her brother Gerald “Jerry” Sandvig (Margie).
Donations can be made to causes near and dear to Joan’s heart:
US Speedskating Foundation https://secure.givelively.org/donate/u-s-speedskating/honoring-joan-peterson
Or, Friends of the Oval https://www.givemn.org/organization/Friends-Of-The-Oval-Foundation
Funeral Service will be held December 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Arlington Hills Church in St. Paul, Minn.
Burial is at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Celebration/Visitation at The John Rose Oval in Roseville, Minn., at 12:30 p.m.
Joan was a woman of tireless energy, determination, resilience, and love for family and friends. Please share your memories of Joan to help us celebrate the life of a woman who lived a full and beautiful life and left the world better for having been a part of it.