Lana Sandrock

Lana Sandrock, 86, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026, at the Sunnyside Care Center in Lake Park, MN.

Lana was born March 18, 1940, in Nevada, Iowa to the late Vera & Carl Sandrock. She attended high school in Nevada, IA and continued her schooling and graduated from UNI. She taught 6th grade. She has maintained contact with several of her students throughout the years. In the late 1960's she relocated to Detroit Lakes and began her work as a social worker at Becker County (MN) welfare department. She worked on the White Earth Reservation with families in need. She was honored by the county when she made a home visit and a young child was experiencing life threatening symptoms. There were no phones available, so she placed the boy in her car and took him to the emergency room. In 1970, she met her soon to be best friend Jeanne as they were both social workers for Becker County. She took a position at the Becker County Career Education Center housed of Audubon for several years. When that dissolved, she did private tutoring and then moved to Hibbing, MN to work for a special education coop for 4 years and then returned back to Detroit Lakes and completed her career. She worked as a hostess at the Perkins Restaurant in Detroit Lakes. Lana's talents were unlimited. She would sew, complete all kinds of crafts, calligraphy and painting. She became great friends with Jeanne's daughter Jennifer. She was truly the best! Everyone called her "Auntie Lana" as she was loved by all. Lana had a strong German heritage. She related very nicely with the Native American culture. Although Lana was not a veteran, she was very proud and cherished her 2 brothers who were. Their military portraits, multiple American flags were displayed proudly in her home as well as the care facilities where she resided during the last few years. She proudly wore her red USMC t-shirt. She loved Iowa as well. She enjoyed having conversations with anyone else who lived in Iowa.

In addition to her parents, Lana was preceded in death by her 2 brothers- Douglas Sandrock & Merle Sandrock. Surviving are her devoted niece- Misty Looking Horse (DaScott) in Shawnee, Kansas who made multiple trips to Detroit Lakes from Kansas to care for Lana during her last few years and her best friend of 50+ years- Jeanne Teiken (Terry) of Detroit Lakes, MN who took the time to take Lana to her appointments, deliver items she requested and be there as a true friend until the very end.

No services have been planned. Lana will be laid to rest next to her beloved brother at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery in Nevada, Iowa at the family's convenience. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Memorial Contributions in Lana's memory may be made to Misty Looking Horse, 7024 Gillette Street, Shawnee, KS 66216 to offset any cost of Lana's inurnment.