Joel Sanchez, 40, died on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Wake services will be at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at the Johnson-Green Funeral Home Chapel in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Luis Segundo Buitron presiding.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service in the Johnson-Green Funeral Home.

Joel Sanchez was born on August 18, 1962 in Cali, Colombia, son of Alfonso and Teresa (Montes) Sanchez. He graduated from high school in 1979 in Jordan de Sajonia and studied at Guaimaral Institute of Aviation in Bogota, Colombia and graduated as a professional pilot. Joel served in the Colombian Army, Artillery Unit as a 2nd Lieutenant officer.

Joel worked in Texas two years before coming to Thief River Falls and has worked the last two years for Artic Cat until his illness. He enjoyed listening to music, reading, tennis and enjoyed his weekends visiting his relatives at Lake of the Woods.

Joel is survived by his mother Teresa Sanchez, Bogota; brother Alfonso Sanchez, Bogota, Colombia; sisters Margarita, Bogota, Chela, Bogota and Rosa Maria (Darryl) Smith, Williams, MN. He was preceded in death by his father, Alfonso Sanchez.