August 8, 1951 – August 30, 2025
Saundra Sue “Sandy” Karabatsos, 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday August 30, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital – Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Visitation will be Saturday September 27, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Parish Center, 305 Elm Street E., Rockwell. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM following the visitation, with Rev. Joseph Sevcik as Celebrant. Burial will be held in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Rockwell at a later date.
Sandy was born on August 8, 1951, in Carroll, Iowa, to Floyd and Louise (Reiff) Schlorholtz. She graduated from Newman Catholic High School in 1969 and went on to complete the nursing program at NIACC. Nursing was her true calling, and throughout her career at Mercy Hospital she cared for countless patients while working in urology, general, and oncology before retiring in 2014 as a nurse manager in the operating room.
Sandy will always be remembered for her kindness, compassion, and unwavering love for her family. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother who never missed an opportunity to support her children and grandchildren in all their endeavors. Family gatherings and celebrations were the heart of her world; her home was the central hub for family events, where she poured her love into making everyone feel cherished.
Sandy had a unique ability to make everyone feel welcome, whether they were family, friends, or strangers. Her home was always filled with warmth and laughter. She found great joy in working in her garden, especially tending to her flowers, and she loved watching “her hummingbirds” flutter outside her window. Sandy was also a dedicated volunteer at her church and served many years as an EMT in Rockwell.
Those left to cherish memories of Sandy are her loving husband of 54 years, Steve Karabatsos; children, Tom (Jen) of Ankeny, IA, Heidi (Jim) Schultz of Fairfax, IA, Amy (Joe) Novotne of Rochester, MN, and Andy (Crystal) of Farmington, MN; 12 grandchildren, Ceilia, Owen, Avery, Emeri, Spencer, Kylie, Tyler, Jaden, Raya, Nolan, Paige, and Skylar; three great grandchildren; siblings, Barb (Tom) Eddy, Craig (Barb) Schlorholtz, Scott (Patty) Schlorholtz, Mark (Judy) Schlorholtz, Mary (Jim) Meggers, Mike (Julie) Schlorholtz; as well as numerous other extended family members, including her “valley family”, close friends Paul and Marlys Pitzenberger, and many friends.
Sandy is preceded in death by her parents.
Donations in memory of Sandy may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Judes Research Hospital.
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