Rolland J. Sande, 79, died June 1, 2003 at the Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 5, 2003 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Karin Moberg officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 4 " 8 PM, Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at the Johnson Green Funeral Home, Thief River Falls, MN with a 8 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Rolland John Sande was born September 8, 1923 at Nevis, MN, the son of John and Ella (Newman) Sande. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian Faith. In 1929 he moved with his parents to rural Thief River Falls were he attended school at Washington Elementary and Lincoln High School. He served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946. Prior to service he was employed at Lockheed Vega Air Craft, Burbank, CA and American Steel and Wire, Duluth, MN.

On July 23, 1947 Rolland was united in marriage to Enid Mellem at Viking, MN. They are the third generation to live on the Sande farm where they have since resided. Dairy farming and small grain comprised their farming. He was also a partner in Sande Auto & Implement Co. In 1970 he began employment with the State of Minnesota as a Food and Meat Inspector, retiring in 1989.

Rolland was a longtime member of Redeemer Lutheran Church where he served on the Building Committee, Church Council and Pastoral Call Committee. He was active in the Christian Renewal group, via de Cristo (Cursillo). He was a member of the American Legion, Golden Pioneers and Senior Nutrition Council. He was an avid reader, enjoyed photography, traveling, family and friends. His main interst was in people and their life stories.

He is survived by his wife, Enid, Thief River Falls, MN; 4 children, Gary (Dianna), Blaine, MN, Lynnell (John) Pemble, Janesville, MN, Gail (Toby) Klassen, St. Charles, MN and Carol (Bob) Crosbie, Lakeville, MN; 15 grandchildren, Heather (Jon) Nelson, Jeremy Hulberg, Kevin Walker Sande, Jolene Walker Sande, Anita (Ken) Rigdon, Ryan (Michelle) Pemble, Jackie Pemble, Ray Pemble, Tracy (Anthony) Curran, Heide Klassen, Troy Klassen, Kevin Klassen, Katie Crosbie, Nicole Crosbie and Allison Crosbie; 5 great-grandchildren, Joshua Rolland Curran, Kayla Rigdon, Logan Sande, Kelsie Nelson and Brandon Nelson; brothers, Glenn (Sue) Sande, Champlin, MN and Milton (Bonita) Sande, Fargo, ND and a sister-in-law, Beverly Sande, Erskine, MN.

Rolland was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Darrel Sande and twin grandsons, Brandon and Brent Klassen.