Verne Sandry

Verne Sandry, age 76, formerly of the Fosston area, passed away on Sunday (May 6th) at Essentia Hospital in Fosston. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday (May 14th) at New Journey Church in Fosston with Pastor Skip Hansen officiating. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery, Fosston. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a 5:00 p.m. prayer service on Sunday (May 13th) at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Full military honors will be conducted by the Minnesota Honor Guard. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Verne was born to Bert and Martha (Hill) Sandry on January 18, 1936, near the town of Viking on the outskirts of Thief River Falls, MN, and was raised on a homestead near Fosston, MN. He had a large family with six brothers; Alfred (and Marie) Sandry, Casselton, ND, John (and Bette) Sandry, Ogden, Utah, Merle Sandry, Lengby, MN, Earl (and Joanne) Sandry, Oneida, IL, Harry (and Carlene) Sandry, Galesburg, IL, Robert (and Dottie) Sandry, Ocala, FL; and one sister, Helen (and Buddy) Shea, Oneida, IL.. Verne married Mayme Kay Hickman on June 27, 1960 in Kansas City, Missouri. Verne was a graduate of Fosston High School, and attended many courses as a soldier in the US Army including: basic training, the NCO Academy, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Warfare (CBR) training, and the Sergeant Major's Academy. He served his country proudly for over twenty years, twelve of those in the artillery. Awards earned included: Meritorious Service Medal with w/1 0LC; Bronze Star Medal w/2 0LC; Army Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal 7th award; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal. After retiring from the Army as a Sergeant Major, Verne worked for Armour and Gold n' Plump in Cold Spring, Minnesota, as well as Amcon Block and Precast in St. Cloud, Minnesota. In 2001, Verne moved to Arizona where he worked part time for the U.S. Postal Service in Salome, Arizona. Verne lived in many places throughout his life including Watkins, MN, Ft. Sill, OK, Ft. Riley, KS, Mainz, Germany, Yakima, WA, Roy, UT, Salt Lake City, UT, Ft. Bliss, TX, Ft. Lewis, WA, New Ulm, MN, Kimball, MN, Salome, AZ, Killeen, TX, Eden Valley, MN, and most recently in Erskine, MN receiving care for advanced Alzheimer's disease.Verne enjoyed building and repairing items about the house, farming and tinkering with tractors, and was an avid walker. He also enjoyed playing cards, working crossword puzzles, reading, and was an expert Scrabble player. Verne Orville Sandry, age 76, died on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Essentia Hospital in Fosston, Minnesota, due to complications resulting from the onset of pneumonia. Verne was a resident at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, Minnesota. Verne is survived by: his wife, Mayme Sandry of Watkins, MN; son Matthew (and Paula) Sandry, Jerome, Idaho; daughter Laura Sandry, Jamestown, ND; son Lincoln (and Bonnie) Sandry, Chandler, AZ; daughter Violet (and Rick) Simmons, Killeen, Texas; and son Benjamin Sandry, Bertha, MN. He is also survived by his fourteen grandchildren: Sheena Halvorson, Michael Sandry, Trenton Sandry, Ashton Sandry, William Bingham, Rebecca Bingham, Josh Cain, Shaun Graham, Krystal Kush, Kaylene Rudd, Rick Simmons, Jr., Hayley Hornick, Breanna Sandry-Loehrer, and Ethan Sandry. He is additionally survived by his fifteen great-grandchildren: Tyra Halvorson, Navayah Reyna, Dominic Reyna, Arianna and Victoria Reyna, Drake Sandry, Sean-Matthew Teller, Ron Bingham, Clay Bingham, Austin Rosenau, Brody Cain, Keira Ward, Ella Dobbyn, and Zoe and Suzy Sandry. Verne was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brothers, Alfred and John Sandry. Pallbearers are Matthew Sandry, Lincoln Sandry, Benjamin Sandry, Michael Sandry, William Bingham, and Rick Simmons. Verne was a proud man who loved to say, "Let's compromise, we'll do it my way," He kept such a sign on his desk while serving in the military. Toward the end of his life, Verne had to compromise on many issues, but his loved ones did their best to honor his wishes. We did it your way, Dad. Rest in peace.