Sandra Lee Zolkoske

Sandra Lee Zolkoske, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on April 17th. She was 88 years old.

Born on October 23, 1936, in Salem, Oregon, to Fredrick Allen Davie and Lulu Mae (Lewis) Davie, Sandra grew up with a strong sense of family, heritage, and community. She was raised in Stayton with her brother Louie where she spent her entire childhood, except for a brief move to Seattle during World War II, where her parents found work contributing to the war effort. This commitment to service and hard work would remain a guiding principle in Sandra’s life.

Sandra graduated from Stayton Union High School, Class of 1954, and then attended Oregon State University before marrying her high school sweetheart, Dave Zolkoske, on July 13 1957 at Stayton Christian Church. Together, they built a wonderful life in their hometown, living briefly in Hawaii during Dave’s military service from 1958 to ‘59 before settling permanently back in Stayton. They built their home on Fir Grove Lane where they resided until they finally downsized and moved to Sublimity in 2015. Sandra and Dave would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this July.

Family was at the heart of Sandra’s life. She and Dave raised three children—Brad Zolkoske (Pam Stacey), Ann Dunsworth (Tom), and Janet Morrison (Bob)—instilling in them the same values of love, resilience, and community that shaped her own life. Her legacy continues in her grandchildren: Austin Dunsworth, Morgan Chung (David), Alex Morrison, Katy Morrison, and Corey Stacey, and great-grandson Axel Chung. 

Sandra greatly enjoyed her career as a legal secretary. She worked for many years at the law firm of Duncan & Duncan, later Duncan & Tiger, where she was respected for her dedication and professionalism. She often spoke fondly of her time there and maintained life-long friendships with her colleagues.

Sandra lived a life full of passion and purpose. She was a devoted member of the Stayton Christian Church and volunteered with the Stayton Hospital Auxiliary, the local Food Bank, and the Blood Bank. She was always socially active and had many different friend groups. She especially enjoyed her bridge group, playing regularly with close friends for decades. She cherished the time they spent together.

Family trips to the beach at Roads End in Lincoln City, camping adventures, desert escapes with friends, RV outings, golf games, and countless holiday gatherings at her beautifully kept home were some of Sandra’s favorite things. She had an eye for antiques, loved a good flea market find as much as a treasured auction piece, and made her house a home filled with warmth and character where all were welcome.

Sandra came from a proud line of Oregon pioneers. Her ancestors—members of the Davie, Lewis, and Brown families—traveled to Oregon by wagon train in the early 1840s and helped shape the earliest communities in the Stayton, Turner, Aumsville and Sublimity area. Her great-great-grandfathers Reuben Lewis and Allen Davie were among the historic signers of the 1843 Champoeg treaty, laying the groundwork for Oregon’s path to statehood.

Sandra was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Lulu and Fred, her brother Lewis Allen “Louie” Davie and her stepmother Ellen (Kerber) Davie.

She is survived by her devoted husband David Zolkoske, her children and their spouses, her grandchildren, step-siblings Jim Kerber and Sharon Kerber, and countless friends and extended family who were blessed to know her.

Sandra will be remembered for her bright smile, her gracious hospitality, her deep faith and unwavering dedication to her family, friends, and the community she loved. Her kindness, strength and vibrant spirit will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 14 th at 1:00 at the Stayton Christian Church, 189 E Washington St, Stayton, OR.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Stayton Food Bank in Sandra’s honor.