Obituaries : Howard Sand

Howard Sand

URBANA:

Howard Anthony Sand died Sunday, December 6, 2015 at the Vinton Lutheran Home at the age of 100.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 11, 2015 at St Mary Catholic Church, Vinton, with Father Ardel Barta as Celebrant. Interment will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery north of Urbana followed by a gathering at St Mary Church Hall, Urbana. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home, 212 E. 6th St. in Vinton. The casket will not be open at the church Friday morning. A memorial fund has been established for the Vinton Lutheran Home.

Howard was born March 14, 1915 near Urbana to Anthony and Clara (Maas) Sand. He received his education at the one-room rural school nearby. On May 1, 1941 he was united in marriage to Esther Marie Smith at St. Mary’s Catholic Church when it was located north of Urbana (Spencers Grove). The couple farmed and raised their family on the Sand family’s Century farm next to this church and cemetery. For several decades Howard served as Trustee for the cemetery. He was one of the original board members when Farmers Mutual Telephone Company was formed in 1960 and served for a decade.

In 1994 Howard moved to Vinton to be near Esther, who was in the care of the Vinton Lutheran Home. He became a tireless volunteer at the Lutheran Home and eventually a part of their assisted living community and since 2010 a resident of their care center. He considered the caring VLH staff to be his second family.

Howard was skilled at woodworking, enjoyed fishing and took great joy in his grandchildren. He was an avid, lifelong card player, making many friends and many family memories by having fun around the card table. He set an example of hard work, faithful devotion in marriage, and a positive spirit.

He is survived by his sons, Richard (Teresa) Sand of Spokane, WA, Ronald (Peg) Sand of Allen, TX, and Duane (Marilyn) Sand of Norwalk; his daughter, Anita (Gil) O’Gara of Des Moines; twelve grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Esther preceded him in death on December 10, 1999. He was also preceded in death by his siblings Marie Sand, Joe Sand, Florence Dripps and Irene Campagna.