James Ernest SANSGAARD

SANSGAARD, LEKWA, SIMS, LARSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/21/2016 at 19:11:07

March 22, 1930 ----- October 10, 2016

James Ernest Sansgaard
Ernie Sansgaard, 86, of Story City, passed away Monday, Oct. 10, 2016, at his home in Overland Park, Kan. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, in Bethany Manor Chapel.

Ernie was born on March 22, 1930, to James and Lydia Sansgaard, and grew up on the family farm in Story City. He was confirmed in 1944 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he and his family were members. He graduated from Story City High School in 1948, attended Waldorf College for two years, and then served in the Marine Corps for two years. After discharge, he enrolled in Iowa State University, graduating in 1957 with a degree in agricultural education.

Ernie was married to Jean Lekwa for 49 years, from 1957 until her death in 2006. They had two sons, Paul (Laura) Sansgaard and Mark (Cathy) Sansgaard. Mark and Cathy have three children, Jamie (Cole) Sims, Aaron Sansgaard, and Molly Sansgaard. In 2015, Jamie and Cole blessed him with a great-grandson named Leo.

Ernie taught vocational education in Fertile and Kanawha for five years before going to work for Farmland Industries, where he worked as a salesman, consultant to cooperatives, as director of the Farmland school, and in human resources. He ended his career driving for Schneider.

Ernie is survived by his children; grandchildren; great-grandson; sister-in-law, Delores (Reuben) Sansgaard; sister, Jeanette Larson; brother, Richard (Ann) Sansgaard; and Jean’s sister, Marilyn Lekwa, and brother, Bob (Maxine) Lekwa. Memorials may be directed to Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp.

Ames Tribune -- Ames, Iowa
October 20, 2016

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[former teacher in Kanawha, Iowa]