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ESCANABA -- Sandra Lee Sundquist, "Sam," age 79, of Escanaba, passed away Sunday, August 16, 2026, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Elgin, IL. She was born January 3, 1947, in Escanaba, MI, and was the daughter of Howard and Martha (Randall) Micheau. Sam graduated from Rapid River High School in 1965 and earned her Master of Education degree with honors from Northern Michigan University in Marquette in 1982. She was employed as a Special Education Teacher in the Manistique and Gladstone school districts, retiring in 1997. Sam is survived by her daughters, Christa (Tom) Hubert of Escanaba and Shannon Johnson of Elgin, IL; her grandchildren, Thomas and his fiancée, Grace Jackson, Joseph, Madelynn, and Aidan; and her dear foster brother, John Provo.
In addition to her parents, Sam was preceded in death by her three husbands, John Baltrusaitis, William D. Johnson, and Curtis Sundquist; her sister, Victoria Whybrew; and her brother, William Micheau. She was also preceded in death by Steve Leleniewski, her daughter Shannon's beloved life partner and the father of her grandson, Aidan.
Sam's grandchildren were truly her pride and joy. They shared a special bond with her and lovingly referred to her as "Gramma Samma," a nickname she cherished and proudly embraced. She was a steadfast source of encouragement for them, celebrating their successes and standing beside them through life's challenges, while helping to guide them and keep them grounded when needed.
The final months of Sam's life were spent in the loving care of her daughter, Shannon, and grandson, Aidan, in Elgin, IL. During this time, she especially cherished the companionship of her "emotional support animals," Melvin and Gizmo, who brought her comfort, joy and affection. Throughout her life, Sam faced many challenges, meeting each one with courage and resilience. She was a fighter in every sense of the word and a fierce advocate for those she loved. She was always willing to lend her voice, her strength, or a helping hand to anyone in need. Sam was never one to mince words; you always knew exactly what she was thinking, sometimes to a fault. Yet her honesty and straightforward nature were an important part of who she was. She lived with strength, conviction, and a deep compassion for others, leaving an impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her. Sam lived with a profound humanitarian spirit and inspired those around her to do the same. She believed in giving when you could, helping where you could, and always looking for ways to make a difference in the lives of others. In keeping with her generous spirit, those wishing to honor Sam are encouraged to extend a helping hand to someone in need, just as she so often did.
Burial will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Rapid River Cemetery in Rapid River, MI. The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Sundquist family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.
