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Larry Sandal, age 68, a long time Plainview, South Dakota rancher, died Monday evening July 10, 2006 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Larry (Laurence L.) Sandal was born December 17, 1937 in Pierre , SD to Walter and Margaret Sandal.  Larry attended rural Haakon County Schools and graduated from Philip High School in 1956.  He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip and initiated into the Knights of Columbus in 1956.

He married Mary Kay Reedy June 10, 1961 at Sacred Heart Church in Philip.  They lived near Cherry Creek on the Buchholz Ranch, in Colony, Wyoming, Plainview , South Dakota, and continued to work his beloved Morgan horses and cattle until his death.  Larry was active in the community as a director of the Enning Fire Dept and H&M Roping Club.  His part in the formation and construction of the Plainview Water Co-op brought a burst of energy to Larry as he saw it as a great gift for the future of his ranching community.  Larry was always his kid’s greatest supporter as a Faith High School Rodeo Club Sponsor, and attended every 4-H, high school & college rodeo that he could.  He himself won the South Dakota State High School Rodeo Championship in Bull Dogging in 1955.

“Not flesh of my flesh, but still miraculously my own.” Larry and Mary Kay adopted seven children:  John in 1965; Laurie in 1967; Paul in 1974 and Scott in 1975.  In July 1978 the Hill family Clint, Todd and Dina were adopted. 

In the Ag Crises of the 80’s Larry hauled sugar beets in Worland, Wyoming, and then drove for Nichols Trucking in Spearfish for two years. In March 1988 Larry went to work for the Sioux Spiritual Center and worked there until January 2006 keeping everything in good working order.

One of the most important events in Larry’s life was being commissioned as a Lay Minister in June 2002.  He felt a very strong call to reach out to Gods children.  God continued to use Larry’s St Joseph like life to touch the everyday lives of so many to the very end of his life on earth. 

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife of forty-five years, Mary Kay; a daughter Laurie Bergeson and her husband Marlyn of Hartford, SD; two sons Paul Sandal and his wife Shanna of Box Elder, and Scott Sandal and his wife Heidi of Plainview; and a daughter-in-law Claudia Pullman and her husband Ron of Freeman, South Dakota.  Larry thought his grandchildren were God’s greatest gift: Larry, Levi, Shawna, John, Justin, Taylor Kay, Samantha, Jami, Tyler, Morgan, Kendra, Parker and Courtney.  Larry is also survived by his sister JoAnn Miles and her husband Lowell of Hartford; a brother Robert Sandal and his wife Bernice of Chipley, Florida; his in-laws, Emilie Reedy, Joann and Lester Pearson, Robert and Paula Reedy, Mike Reedy, and  Annie and Obie Brunskill;  wonderful nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and the Sandal cousins, especially Bill and Karyl Sandal and their families.

Larry was preceded in death by his mother and father, Walter and Margaret Sandal; his oldest son, John Walter Sandal; and brothers-in-law Richard and Joe Reedy.

Visitation was held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at the Philip Armory, with a wake service led by Deacon Marlon Leneaugh of Mission at 7:00 pm Thursday evening.

Funeral services were Friday morning, July 14, at 10:00 a.m. at the Philip Armory, Rev. John Hatcher, SJ officiating.

Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

A memorial is established.

Rush Funeral Home of Philip was in charge of arrangements.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change...Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference.

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