Sandra J. Kilde, EdD, CRNA, age 86, of Eleva, Wisconsin, formerly of Minnesota, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at home, surrounded by her loving family while under the care of Mayo Home Health and Hospice, according to an obituary provided by Talbot Family Funeral Homes. A former president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), she was a recipient of AANA’s highest award, the Agatha Hodgins Award for Outstanding Accomplishment, in 2021.
She was born June 25, 1938, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the eldest child of Beverly (Johnson) and Harry Kilde. She became a CRNA in 1967 after graduating from the Luther Hospital School of Nursing in Eau Claire, and the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1976, and a master’s degree in adult education in 1981 from University of St. Thomas, also in St. Paul. Kilde was one of the first CRNAs in the country to obtain a doctoral degree, earning a doctorate in education in 1987 from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
She served as AANA president from 1981-1982 and was a positive force for the nurse anesthesiology profession for more than five decades. She was instrumental in the field of nurse anesthesia education. With less than one year of CRNA experience, in 1968 she became program director at the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia, a role she would have for more than 28 years. During this time, she spearheaded moving the curriculum from an 18-month certificate program to a 27-month Master of Science degree.
During her tenure as president, the AANA Board of Directors recommended that all applicants for a nurse anesthesia program have a baccalaureate degree prior to admission. According to her 2021 nomination for the Agatha Hodgins Award, this vision was the first action taken that led to all students graduating with clinical doctoral degrees by 2025.
Kilde also was instrumental in developing the first continuing education program for nurse anesthetists and served as chair of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
Prior to her retirement from clinical practice in 2008, Kilde was staff anesthetist at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Minn., and adjunct professor at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minn.
In addition to serving as president for both AANA and the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists, she served on numerous committees for both organizations. Kilde received the AANA Program Director of the Year award in 1992 and the Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator award in 2005.
She is survived by her siblings, Steve (Anna) Kilde, Lee Summit, Missouri; Gerald (Diane) Kilde, Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Robert Kilde, Eleva, Wisconsin; Richard (Jean) Kilde, Appleton, Wisconsin; Ruthann Rasmussen (Kerry), Sidney, Montana; Julie (Terry) McDowell, Savage, Minnesota, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and her long-time puppy companion, Suzi V. She was proceeded in death by her spouse, Joyline Majors, her parents, Beverly and Harry Kilde, sister-in-law Cindy Kilde, and brother-in-law, Rev. Alton Hillesland.
A graveside service will be held on June 6, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at Pine Needle Cemetery, Grace Lutheran Church, McGregor, Minnesota. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.