Earl L. Sanderson

Earl L. “Sandy” Sanderson, 84 of Devils Lake, ND died on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Earl will be held on Monday, February 18, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Marvin Winstryg will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, February 17th from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Sandy will be Steve Heilman, Merle Henke, Ralph Rath, Rodney Brown, Gerald Idland, Rodger Spidal, Brent Pflaum and Caroll Spidal. Music will be provided by Mary Oehlke, soloist and Patty Cote, organist. Earl Lloyd Sanderson was born on December 9, 1923, the son of Dave and Tillie (Dryer) Sanderson at Willow City, ND. He was reared and educated in Willow City, attending country school through the 4th grade and then going to Willow City Public School, graduating from Willow City High School in 1941. After graduating, Earl worked for several farmers in the area and also at the Farmers Union Station in Willow City. Earl entered the United States Navy on May 28, 1943 at Bottineau, ND and served his country during World War II. He was honorably discharged on March 3, 1946 at Minneapolis, Minnesota with the rank of Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class. He returned to North Dakota and attended Wahpeton State School of Science until the death of his father, when he returned to Willow City to help his mother with the farming. Earl was united in marriage to Elaine Nehring on December 27, 1950 at Gardena, ND. They established their home in Willow City for 2 years while Earl was employed at the Willow City Elevator. In 1952, Earl would begin a 22 year career as a Game Warden with the North Dakota Game and Fish. He was stationed in New Rockford for 14 years, then moved to Devils Lake in 1966 where he made his home until the time of his death. After retiring from the Game and Fish, Sandy worked at Home of Economy for 2 years and then served as the Ramsey County Deputy Sheriff for 8 years. Sandy continued in service to the Lake Region as a County Commissioner for 4 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Elks Lodge, North Dakota Peace Officers and the Ramsey County Peace Officers Associations. He also was a member of the Willow City American Legion. Sandy was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son. He was a devoted husband and father and lived a life of service to his country, his community and his family. Earl is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elaine Son: DelRay Sanderson of Devils Lake Daughter: JoEtta Wang and her husband, Bob also of Devils Lake Grandchildren: Heather and Ethan Wang; Three Sisters-In-Law; Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Jim Walker; twin boys in infancy, Barry and Larry and a brother Vernon Sanderson.