Gary Keith Sandness

Gary's Funeral Service will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/3747298

His tribute video may be viewed here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/KT55MBMPXLT7B62C

Gary Sandness, 79, of Fargo, ND, passed away with his family by his side on Monday, September 25, 2023 at the Sanford Hospice House in Fargo.

Gary Keith Sandness was born on November 24, 1943 in LaMoure, ND to Clarence and Evelyn (Lere) Sandness.

Gary was raised on the family farm in Verona, ND, attending country school at Greenville #2 first before attending school in Lamoure and graduated from Verona High School. He began farming right out of high school with his father, spending two winters working at a factory in Chicago. They farmed together as he eventually took over the family farm.

Gary married Elizabeth “Betty” Maley on March 11, 1967 and together they had three children, Jodi, Jerrod, and Corey. He farmed with his boys, Jerrod and Corey, later in life until his retirement in 2004. He stayed active in the community, serving on the Verona Elevator Board, Verona School Board, and was very active in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Verona. In 1977, he was awarded the LaMoure County Soil Conservation Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year Award.

Betty passed away on April 12, 1996.

Gary married DeAnn Schardin on August 3, 2001 at First Lutheran Church in Fargo. They enjoyed spending their summers at the lake and winters in Arizona for many years.

Gary enjoyed many pleasures, including morning coffee in Verona, shaking dice at happy hour, many rounds of golf, was very competitive, and always loved a good practical joke.

Gary is survived by his wife, DeAnn; children, Jodi (Dan) Sandness-Rieger, Lisbon, ND; Jerrod (Becky) Sandness, Gwinner, ND; Corey (Shannon) Sandness, Verona, ND; step-children, Justin Schardin, Washington, DC; Stuart (Meryl) Schardin, Dallas, TX; Stephanie Clarke, Santa Fe, NM; grandchildren, Lakyn (Gino) Lucarelli, Karah (Jacob) Weinand, Victoria (Axel McKinven) Sandness, Samuel Rieger, Elizabeth Rieger, James Sandness, Anna Sandness; step-grandchildren, Christian Ulman, Matthew, Will, and Charlie Schardin, Spencer and Duncan Clarke; siblings, Neil (Kathy) Sandness, Jon (Annette) Sandness, Penny (Paul) Sandbek, Brian (Pat) Sandness.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; and his parents.

Funeral Service: 11am, Friday, September 29, 2023 at First Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND with a visitation one hour prior. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.
Burial: Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Verona, ND. A gathering will be held at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Verona following the burial around 3pm.

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND