Watch Saundra's Service here

Saundra Dietz, age 54, of Twin Valley, MN, died Friday, August 4, 2023, at Essentia Health Systems in Fargo, ND.

Saundra Dawn Buckle was born March 21, 1969, in Fargo, ND, the oldest child of Danny and Sharon (Waller) Buckle.  She grew up and attended school in McHenry, ND.  Following graduation from Glenfield-Sutton-McHenry High School with the Class of 1987, Saundra furthered her education at Josef's School of Hair Design in Fargo.  She immediately began her 27-year career as a beautician starting out at Trim 7, which later became MJ Capelli's in Fargo and she would eventually branch out on her own with Saundra's Styles in West Fargo, ND.  In 1990, Saundra was united in marriage to Murray "Jay" Dietz and together they were blessed with a son, Jesse.  The couple later divorced but she remained in the Fargo metro until moving to Twin Valley in 2015.  While living in Twin Valley, Saundra worked at the family hardware store, Buckle's Hardware, until Dan and Sharon sold it in 2021.  She met Shane Longie and has enjoyed several good years with him and his twin daughters, Whisper and Cherish. Most recently, Saundra's health had been declining after a cancer diagnosis in April of 2023.

In high school, Saundra was very athletic playing basketball and one of only three girls to play on the boy's baseball team.  After high school, she kept in touch with many of her friends, old and new.  She was the one to always start the "text party" as she remembered everyone's birthdays and special dates and anniversaries.  Saundra was known to send multiple messages to the special people in her life on such occasions.  Saundra was a people person; she was very outgoing, upbeat and optimistic no matter the struggles that came her way.  She thoroughly enjoyed simply hanging out with friends and sharing her gift to gab.  In addition, she had a special canine companion, her Olde English Bulldog, Jack, who often outranked both family and company.  When she wasn't with family and friends, Saundra could often be found playing video games on her phone or doing crossword puzzles.  She also enjoyed listening to music, especially Willie Nelson.  Although gone from this life too soon, she will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Saundra is survived by her son, Jesse (Lauren Logan) Dietz of Fargo; parents, Dan and Sharon Buckle of Twin Valley; one sister, Sharla (John) Mandt of Fernandina Beach, FL; two brothers, Robert (Leslie Scott) Buckle of Twin Valley and Darren (Ryane Bakke) Buckle of Moorhead, MN; her boyfriend, Shane Longie and his daughters, Whisper and Cherish also of Twin Valley; in addition to many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents and two uncles.

A visitation will be held Sunday, August 13, 2023, from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, with a prayer service at 4:30 pm, at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley. A memorial service will be held Monday, August 14, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. Inurnment will be held at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley.