Sandra Hehn

Sandra Lee Hehn, 79, of John Day, Oregon, passed away on July 10, 2026, at Valley View Assisted Living.

Sandy was born in Richardton, North Dakota, to Leo and Elsie Hehn. She was the youngest of five children and grew up with four older brothers. In 1952, the Hehn family moved to Mt. Vernon, Oregon, where Sandy attended Mt. Vernon schools from first grade through high school, graduating from Mt. Vernon High School with the Class of 1965. She continued her education at Multnomah College in Portland and Eastern Oregon College in La Grande.

Sandy had three daughters from her first marriage: Michelle, Tara, and Rebecca. She later married Mike Knadler, and together they raised their family in John Day and Canyon City.

Sandy worked many years for the U.S. Forest Service. In the latter part of her career she manned several fire lookouts on the Malheur and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, including Table Rock, Frazier, Antelope, and Indian Rock.

Sandy's greatest joy in life was her family. She deeply loved her parents, brothers, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and life long friends. They all remember her for her radiant smile, bubbly laugh, adventurous and playful spirit, and cartwheels. The perfect cartwheels according to some.

Sandy is survived by her daughters, Tara (Max) Cole of Meridian, Idaho, and Rebecca (Tom) Nordtvedt of John Day, Oregon; her grandchildren, Sarah and Joe Cole, and Madelyn and Andrew Nordtvedt; Mike Knadler of Canyon City; and her brothers, Rick Hehn and Bob Hehn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo Hehn and Elsie Wright; her brothers, James Hehn and Dale Hehn; and her daughter, Michelle Murray.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m. at Canyon City Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Mt. Vernon Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Vernon High School Alumni Scholarship Fund through Driskill Memorial Chapel at 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, Oregon 97845.