Sandra Kay Kraft

Sandra Kay Cerina Kraft (Briggs), age 63, of Fargo, ND, died of cancer, May 25, 2017 surrounded by family at Sanford Palliative Care, She was born March 9, 1954 to Floyd and Lola Briggs in St Paul, MN. She grew up in Motley, MN, and graduated from Motley High School in 1972 and later from Business school. She married Kenton Kraft, March 15, 1975 and started a family.

We often see the phrase,” lost her battle with cancer”. However, we know what Sandy was made of and Cancer never stood a chance against her.

It wore down her body; it exhausted her strength, and ultimately took her to heaven earlier than we would have wanted. However, it could not diminish her spirit, her sense of humor, her bold, distinctive laugh, or the fierceness of her love for her husband, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and her dear friends. She loved with her whole being and was the strongest most selfless woman. Cancer never stood a chance against her. It was helpless against her strength. It threw everything it had at her and she threw it right back in the form of her faith and desire to be with her family and friends. She drew people in and they became a part of her extended family, whether she had known them for years or they simply dialed the wrong phone number that day….. She didn’t lose her battle with cancer, it never stood a chance.

One of her favorite quotes was by Elizabeth Edwards, “She Stood in the Storm, and when the Wind did not Blow her Way, she adjusted her Sails.” She kept this close to her as a daily reminder, as she constantly adjusted her own sails.

Sandy devoted herself to her children as a stay at home mom. For many years, she ran a daycare from her home. She loved children, especially babies. This was one of her many gifts. She also loved flower gardening, camping, and was happiest when surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her husband, Kenton Kraft; children, Michelle (Bradley) Bredell, Kris (Kelly) Kraft, Laurie Beth (Nathan) Cerkowniak, Sarah Dawson, and Michael (Tricia) Kraft; her eleven grandchildren, Abbey, Connor, Chloe, Kamrin, Jayden, James, Jesiah, Gracie, Leila, Gabriel and Vivian. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Lola Briggs; her stepmother, Violet Briggs and her brother, David Briggs.

Many thanks to Dr. Tinguely, Dr. Jensen and all of the staff and caregivers at Roger Maris and Sanford Palliative Care.