Mary Beth (Sandstrom) Gravengaard, 71, passed away on June 28, 2015, with her husband, son, and daughter by her side. Mary was the beloved wife of Lloyd Gravengaard ’65 and a longtime resident of Greenwich (Riverside), Conn., She was born in Wausau, Wis., on Dec. 16, 1943, and graduated from Luther College with a degree in elementary education in 1965. It was at Luther during her freshman year that she met Lloyd, her future husband of 49 years. Mary and Lloyd were married the summer of the graduation from Luther, on Aug. 7, 1965.

Mary loved children, first as a teacher, then as a mother and ultimately as a grandmother. She worked as an early elementary school teacher for a decade in the western Chicago suburbs, Elmhurst and Lombard, where they resided, until she left teaching to raise her two children.

Mary cared deeply for her church and she always elected to choose the Lord’s Joy to be part of her life and advocated fro others to do so also.

After moving to Greenwich (Riverside), Conn., in 1983 Mary was active in her church serving in many leadership roles including as Senior Deacon and was often seen greeting old and new members after services during coffee hour. For over 18 years Mary was active in her local chapter of Community Bible Study as a member and core group leader. She was the volunteer coordinator for St. Luke’s Community Services in Stamford; a board member of Hill House Senior Residence as well as Greenwich Chaplaincy Services, which catered to the multiple nursing homes within Greenwich, Conn.

Mary is survived by her husband Lloyd Gravengaard; her son Eric Gravengaard, his wife Liza, and their children Paige, Thomas and Walther; and by her daughter Kirsten Gravengaard-Morgan, her husband, Ashley, and their children, Lucas and Zachary. In addition Mary is survived by her two brothers, Timothy Sandstrom and Jay Sandstrom. A memorial service was held July 19, 2015, at Stanwich Congregational Church of Greenwich, Conn.