Sandra Sue Montrose

Sandra Sue Montrose (Sandy) was born in the elevator at Trinity Luther Hospital on January 26, 1941. She spent most of her growing years in the Hyde Park area of Kansas City. She was preceded in death by her father Jack Montrose, mother Marie Montrose, sisters Rosemary, and Jacqueline, and bothers Jack, Jr. and Bruce Montrose. She is survived by her brother Grant Montrose and many nieces and nephews. Sandy graduated from high school in 1959. She enrolled in Avila College (now University). Sandy graduated from Avila with a Bachelor of Arts in Art minoring in education in 1967. She was very proud that she graduated on the Dean’s Honor Roll. Sandy held many jobs including teaching art in and privately in Mission Hills. However, her passion was horticulture. She applied and was accepted to the university of Oregon in their forestry program. However, when they found out that she was a female, her acceptance was withdrawn. Sandy worked for the city of Overland Park Forestry department for a short time. Sandy was a woman often ahead of the times. Her love of horticulture and organic farming lead her to start Montrose Organic Fruit and Vegetable Farm in 1975 in Leavenworth County, Kansas. Sandy farmed until 1993. Sandy sold her produce to Balls Price Chopper and Hen House. She also, developed Sandy’s Candies. After selling the farm Sandy moved to her house in Overland Park. Sandy then started a successful landscaping business. Many of her clients were in Mission Hills. Sandy retired from landscaping due to health reasons in 2006. Sandy loved the outdoors, gardening and making things grow. She worked hard to help people to understand the importance of eating food raised organic. She was passionate about telling anyone who would listen about the harmful effects of chemicals on our food. Sandy was very civic minded. She served on the Overland Park Legacy of Greenery Committee, the Southlake steering committee as vice-chair, helped start the Overland Park Arboretum, and developed the concept of and implemented the Community Plant-a-Tree program. Sandy was also instrumental in saving the Legler barn in the So-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa.

Tributes

Sandra Sue Montrose

January 26, 1941 - June 26, 2023