Earl Einar Sande

On May 14, 2025, Earl Einar Sande passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Earl was born August 4, 1933, in Dakota City, Iowa to parents Einar and Gladys (Jensen) Sande. He was the oldest of two children. His younger brother, Neal, preceded him in death by only a month. Earl and Neal were known for their sense of humor as kids and continued with their love of sharing jokes with each other throughout their lives.

Earl attended Dakota City Grade School. As a child, he learned and accomplished the enjoyment of climbing evergreen trees and whistling. He continued his ability to whistle (very loudly!) throughout his years, whether it be to get someone’s attention or sitting at his desk whistling to country music.

Earl’s family later moved to Humboldt, Iowa where he graduated from high school in 1951. During the summer before his senior year, he was doing construction work and accidentally severed off the lower two digits of two of his fingers. Although he remained somewhat self-conscious of his hand, he learned how to accept it and moved forward learning how to write left-handed to complete his senior class schoolwork including advanced algebra, advanced geometry, and English language. He was also the lead in their senior class play.

It was also during his high school years that he met the love of his life, Ruth Ellen Schultz. After several attempts at wooing her, including jamming the typewriter keys at the end of his class when he found out she was in the next class and would be sitting at that same typewriter or buying her a mechanical pencil, he finally got up the courage their senior year to ask her out on a date. He was so nervous that he spoke so low and mumbled so badly that she couldn’t understand him, forcing him to have to endure asking her again. Luckily, she said yes.

After high school he attended Drake University where he studied accounting. He was briefly separated from Ruth as she attended a different college, but in 1954, they got married and were married for 62 years until Ruth’s passing in 2016. He referred to Ruth as not only his wife but his best friend. They had three children, David, Susan, and Kathleen.

In 1954, he joined his father in the newly purchased Adel Lumber Co. in Adel, Iowa. It later became Sande Lumber Co., Inc and eventually S. Building Center, Inc. He remained in the retail building materials business for 47 years until its closing in 2001.

Earl had a strong entrepreneurial calling. He had a full career at the lumber yard. He was also involved in developing residential and commercial land. He was a founding partner in San-Len-De Construction, Inc., Conmat Inc., and Crown Development Inc. where he was involved with the construction of many buildings and new homes in Adel. He also individually developed and constructed many new commercial lots and buildings.

He was a devoted and lifelong Lutheran and a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Adel. Through the years, he served on various church committees and church councils.

He served as a member of Adel Planning and Zoning Board, Adel Chamber of Commerce Board, Adel Developers Board, Dallas County Developers Board, Hillcrest Country Club Board, and Dallas County Draft Board. He was a long-time member of the Adel Rotary Club, having joined in February 1956. He served as a Rotarian board member, treasurer, and twice as president. He was never shy about suggesting Rotary membership to folks he got to know.

His Scandinavian heritage was an important part of his life. He treasured his travels to visit relatives and friends in Norway and Denmark and continued a close relationship with them throughout his life. He was a member of Sons of Norway Lodge where he served as board member, treasurer, and vice-president. He was also a member of Danish Brotherhood Lodge where he served as board member, vice-president, and president.

He was happiest when he was interacting with family and friends. He maintained many childhood friendships and enjoyed attending reunions over the years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, mother Gladys, father Einar, brother Neal, and son-in-law Steve Riedemann.

He is survived by his children, David (Nanci) Sande, Susan Riedemann, and Kathleen (Mark) Beaman; six grandchildren, Garrett (Heather) Riedemann, Chris (Anna) Sande, Hannah (Jeffery) Byers, Erin (Aaron) Ortbals, Emily (Robert) Auers, and Benjamin Sande; twelve great grandchildren, Tierney Riedemann, Emerson Riedemann, Malachi Riedemann, Jameson Ortbals, Freja Sande, Michaela Byers, Ella Ortbals, Jeffery III Byers, June Auers, Josie Auers, Jacob Ortbals, and Ford Auers; sister-in-laws Phyllis Sande and Barbara Lansing; and former son-in-law Paul Ford.

Special thanks are extended to the staff at Edencrest Senior Living at Adel. Although Earl was only there for two weeks, they helped to make this transition in his life as smooth as possible and he spoke of the overwhelming kindness he encountered with everyone there.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, Adel. The funeral will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Although we can take comfort that Earl lived a good long full life, he will still greatly be missed by his family and many friends.

Donations may be made to Grace Lutheran (Adel), Adel Rotary, UnityPoint Health or ALK Positive, Inc.

Earl Sande's funeral service will be livestreamed with the link provided below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82542039380?pwd=UacSH1JnbocGZGnhWB6HNY2goxGi9v.1

Meeting ID: 825 4203 9380

Passcode: grace