Meredith L. Sawyer, age 88, of Alexandria, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, July 13, 2026, at her home in the Village Cooperative.

There will be a celebration of life at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Alexandria Village Cooperative, 515 Jefferson St. Alexandria, MN 56308.

Meredith Lynn Vandermark was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 17th, 1937 to Lloyd and Edith (Cheetham) VanDermark. The midwife attending the birth happened to be Meredith's great-grandma, Emilie Stryker.

As a child she enjoyed some treasured times with her grandfather fishing where she had felt free to talk and fish together. Her special bond with her Grandpa set the tone for a remarkable outlook on life and understanding we are all here to serve each other.

Meredith also swam competitively and took that love for swimming all throughout her life. She even has some heroic rescues in her time on earth. From saving a small child at a local pool, to fighting rip tides off the coast of California to save a companion. You were safe in the water if Meredith was nearby.

She spoke fondly and often of her youth in Chicago and enjoyed the benefits of living right across the street from Portage Park.

Meredith attended private school in the city of Chicago and took her solo commute each morning and afternoon on two public buses as a small child.

The Vandermark's would visit Riverside Amusement Park often and Meredith never turned down a baseball game with her peers (which were mostly boys).

Meredith enjoyed raising her first two children with family close by. Lloyd and Edith were involved grandparents and doted upon Mark and Dale.

Edith was working real estate and Meredith was staying home with her own children. Edith's wish for her daughter was that she would find a husband and settle down. It struck Edith that perhaps she should stay home with her grand-children and Meredith should find work and possibly even a husband.

Thus, Meredith began her reception position at General Mills where she met Bob. They soon began going steady and Meredith's mother's mission was accomplished.

Robert “Bob” Thomas Sawyer and Meredith were united in marriage on February 21st, 1958. The family then grew by two more sons; Michael and Robert

Bob was soon transferred to the General Mills in Toledo, OH where the family of six lived happily for a time.

General Mills then transferred Bob a final time up to Minneapolis, MN. They resided in Minneapolis briefly before Meredith chose the largest size model (to Bob's dismay) of the home selections to be built on Douglas Drive in Brooklyn Park, MN. It is there that she resided for the next 52 years.

Their children grew and started families of their own. Meredith and Bob separated but remained close friends. Bob was cared for by Meredith until his last day. One of the many examples she's displayed of her ability to love unconditionally.

As far as passions go, children and caretaking were Meredith's great love. She spent many years nannying for families and was a paraprofessional for 13 years for a local Brooklyn Park school.

In 2017, the beloved family home was sold and Meredith moved to Alexandria where she would enjoy 9 years of the small-town charm.

With her family, she shared her love of the arts. Often taking trips to museums, live performances, and thrift stores to bring home pieces that brought her joy.

Meredith never missed a yard sale and was always prepared with loose change and room in the trunk.

In addition to treasure hunting, she enjoyed a game of Bridge, reading, creative writing, and crime television shows.

She practiced her faith and was a devout Christian. Joyce Meyer Ministries on tape was a constant background noise in the house and she attended church regularly.

Over the years, her candid photo collection became enormous and you can find hundreds of photos from whatever she was doing with loved ones that day. Her family vividly recalls the flash of the disposable camera at random. The trips to Walgreens Photo were countless.

Meredith's Grandma Chapter is something that must be recognized and she closed the book as a legendary level Grandma. She nurtured and cherished every moment with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Often hosting many weekends at her house where her grand-kids would make endless happy memories.

They will never forget her special waffles, spaghetti dinners, outings to the movies, parks, and that euphoric feeling of grandma's house for the weekend.

Her loss is felt deeply by all who know and love her.

Meredith was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Edith, her sister Reva Jane Overton, late husband Robert Thomas Sawyer and last born son Robert Lloyd Sawyer. She is survived by sons Mark Sawyer of Big Lake, MN, Mike (Nanette) Sawyer of Bethlehem, PA and daughter Dale Gersting of Alexandria, MN. She also leaves behind loving grandchildren; Jean Sawyer, Emily Hesch, Melody Lockhart, Dylan (Kaitlin) Sawyer, Leah (Isak) Johnson, Laura (Aric) Winarske, Alex (Kate) Sawyer, Andy Sawyer, Mike (Adrienne) Sawyer, and Zachary (Samantha) Sawyer, and many great grandchildren and some great-greats.