J. Wendell Sands, 85

J. Wendell Sands, age 85, a lifelong Alvarado resident passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on July 4th, 2024 at their family vacation spot for the past 25 years in Breezy Point, MN.

J. Wendell Sands was born on December 24th, 1938 in Grand Forks, ND to John and Ruth (Nordlund) Sands. He grew up in Alvarado but loved spending time out at his family farm with his Uncle Philip, where his love for farming began. He later graduated from Alvarado High School in 1956. He then attended UND and graduated from NDSU with a degree in Agriculture.

Wendell met the love of his life, Michal Loeslie in 1959. They were married on September 12, 1964, in Warren, MN. Together they raised their 4 children and enjoyed taking many family snowmobile and sightseeing trips. They shared 59 beautiful wedded years. Wendell was lucky enough to be Michal’s official taste tester of her cooking and baking. Michal was his soulmate and best friend “pal” for life. Their marriage was a testimony to all those around them. You rarely saw one without the other, and they were inseparable until Wendell's passing.

Wendell started farming with his cousin Milton in 1963, but they each got married in 1964 so they “divorced their partnership” and Wendell continued on his own with his wife Michal. Sugarbeets were always his favorite crop to raise which he started in 1965 with his two-row Gemco harvester. Wendell and Michal took pride in growing their family farm. In 1995 their son Jared officially began farming alongside him. Wendell served on the RRVSBG Research Board for 12 years. He and Michal attended numerous farming conventions over the years. Wendell really never quit farming; he ran the beet harvester for over 50 years, and the combine for 64 years only to be “retired” in 2019 by his 16-year-old granddaughter, Lucia. In his later years, he cherished his role as the “pickup farmer” checking out fields, running the rotobeeter as of last year with his favorite co-pilot Michal, doing parts runs, and riding in the combine. The Sands family would like to thank all the current and former employees for their hard work and friendship over the years.

His passions in life were his faith, his farm, his family, and his lifelong home, Alvarado. He was involved in many aspects of Alvarado from the church, the school board, the Lions, and his love of sharing and preserving Alvarado’s history. He was very proud of his Norwegian and Swedish Heritage; at family gatherings, it was tradition to pass a bottle of Aquavit around. Wendell deeply loved sharing his knowledge and stories to all who would listen. Wendell was a one-of-a-kind storyteller and historian. He also enjoyed bird watching, reading, and singing; he kept his hopes up for MN sports teams and was an avid weather watcher.

Wendell will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

Wendell is survived by his loving wife, Michal. Their children, Stephanie Sands of Roseville, MN, her son Anthony (Vanessa). Karmen (Joe) Schuster of Elk River, MN, their children; Wyatt (Mara), Sydney, Addisyn, Avery, and Dylan. Monica (Corey) Jamieson of Oslo, MN, their children; Alexis, Landon, and Madilyn. Jared (Robbyne) Sands of Alvarado, MN, their children; Jaryne, Isabella, Lucia, Jaxon, Clare, Claudia Jo, and Joseph. His Godson Brent Sands. His Niece Marlene and (Ray) Gravlin, Nephew Bruce (Mona) Magnuson, and many other family members and loved ones.

Wendell is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruth (Nordlund) Sands and his sisters Darlyne Magnuson & infant sister Naomi Sands along with his Mother and Father-in-law, Herbert and Delphy Loeslie and numerous other loved family members.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 11:00 AM, with visitation an hour prior, at New Hope Church of Alvarado, MN.

VISITATION: Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 5:30 PM, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM, at New Hope Church, Alvarado, MN

INTERMENT: Oak Lawn Cemetery, Alvarado, MN

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: Memorials can be made to Oak Lawn Cemetery in Alvarado, MN.

ONLINE REGISTER BOOK: www.duborefuneralhome.com

Arrangements with DuBore Funeral Home of Warren, MN.