Donald R. Sandt, 82, of Kiester, died Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Home. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Kiester. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Our Savior’s Cemetery in Kiester. Military honors will be accorded by the Kiester Color Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to USC Sports Booster Club or to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
Donald Sandt was born Sept. 16, 1927, in Bancroft, Iowa, the son of Lawrence and Agatha (Lang) Sandt. He attended elementary school in Bancroft, Iowa, and graduated from Armstrong, Iowa High School in 1945. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Iowa State Teachers College in 1950. He taught and coached in Iowa for several years. On July 2, 1951, he married Lois Proctor in Des Moines, Iowa. Donald came to Minnesota in 1957 as a high school principal. He did his graduate studies at the University of Minnesota. He served as principal for 15 years, the last 10 in Kiester.
Donald was a member of the County, State, and National Principals Associations for 15 years. He was a member of the American Legion and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He loved to hunt and fish. He loved coaching and being with his grandchildren. He received an award for 30 years of service as a firearms safety training instructor. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1946 in the Philippine Islands. He did carpentry work in the summers and after 1972.
Donald is survived by his wife Lois; three sons: Randy, Michael (wife Cheryl), and James, all of Kiester; daughter, Mary Harmdierks of Truman; a sister, Marie Kemna of Bancroft, Iowa; nine grandchildren: Christine (husband Mark), Jeremy, Adam, Desire, Sarah, Nicole (husband Brian), Mark (wife Beth), Kenneth, and Daniel; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Richard “Rick”; his parents; sisters: Dorothy and Donna Jean Strusz; brother, David; and two brothers-in-law.