Larry Sandal

of Howes, South Dakota, died on Monday, July 10, 2006
at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip, after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 68

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.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Friday, July 14, 2006 10:00 a.m.
Philip High School
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Rev. John Hatcher, SJ

MUSIC
Jo Anne Stilwell – Pianist
Congregational Hymns
"Here I Am Lord"
"One Bread, One Body"
"How Great Thou Art"
"Song Of Farewell"
Amy Wicks – Vocalist
"I Can Only Imagine"

USHERS
Harold Waterland – Cody Weyer
Beau Bendigo – Chuck O’Connor
Bob McDaniel – Larry Byrne

PALLBEARERS
Don Eymer – Richard Hudson
Arlie Radway – Jason Radway
Jim O’Dea – Larry Walker
De King – Glen King

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Nieces and Nephews
Mike Phillips and Walker Cousins

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
BY THE AMERICAN LEGION POST #173
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

"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."

Service Details

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Friday, July 14, 2006 10:00 a.m.
Philip High School
Philip, South Dakota

Guest Book

Dear Mary Kay,
Our hearts are with you and your whole family. Thank you so much for sharing the video with us. Larry was a wonderful man and such a loving father, husband and friend. We are so privileged to have known and loved him.

We heard from John and Art Kane about the wonderful moving service held for Larry. We were so sad to have to miss the service; we were at a family wedding in Baltimore.

We hope to get out to see you this fall. When the time is right, we would love to plant a tree in Larry's memory at a time and place of your choosing.

We love you and think of you so often,
Pat and David Allen

   ~ Pat & David Allen 306 East Woodley St., Northfield, MN 55057 (7/10/2006)
We enjoyed the video! Take care, Mary Kay & family. We wish you all the best. It's comforting to know that Larry is at rest now, without pain. He's just looking down from heaven still enjoying his family and friends. Take care!
   ~ Jeff & Dona Mae Johnson & Family Pierre, SD (7/10/2006)
Mary Kay and family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I so deeply wish I could be there with all of you. As God takes Larry home He is blessing our family with a new miracle of life. I know that my baby will always have a special guardian angel. Larry will forever be in my heart. He was such a wonderful and caring man. I am comforted to know he will be watching over all of us. May God bless each and every one of you in this time of sorrow. My deepest sympathy...Haylee
   ~ Haylee (Pearson) Swiden Watertown, SD (7/10/2006)
Mary Kay & family,
Expressing my sympathy.
And offering a prayer.
That God above will comfort you.
And ease the loss you bear.

   ~ Bea Williams Missoula, MT (7/10/2006)
My sympathy to the entire family and we will keep you in our prayers
   ~ Denis Miles and Family 13270 Hwy. 764, Philpot, KY (7/10/2006)
To the entire family of Larry--we extend our deepest sympathy to you all. What a wonderful man and inspiration to all he met. Mary Kay--you and Larry were such wonderful people when we lost our Mom and for that we are grateful, but knowing that Larry is with our Heavenly Father and watching over us all now, as our Mom is. May you all be comforted knowing that your FAITH stay strong. He will be missed by all. God bless you all and stay strong. Our prayers are with you all... Lynette (Bendigo), Russ, Fontana and Burgundy Kurth <
   ~ Lynette Bendigo Kurth, Russ and Girls Rapid City, SD (7/10/2006)
My sympathy to all of you. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
   ~ Brenda (Young) Sabers Sturgis, SD (7/10/2006)
So sorry to hear of your loss, Mary Kay. You are in my prayers. May God grant you comfort and consolation, and may Larry rest peacefully in the arms of the Risen Christ.
   ~ Teresa Spiess Rapid City, SD (7/10/2006)
My heart goes out to all of you. Take comfort in the knowing that Larry is now at peace. He was a great man who raised a wonderful family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
   ~ Kellie (Nixon) Weinzetl Belle Fourche, SD (7/10/2006)
We will be keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.
   ~ Kelly Alleman Nelson Pierre, SD (7/10/2006)
Father to Father Uncle Larry,
You are the best Dad any one could have

   ~ Gary Miles Family 46447 263rd St., Hartford, SD 57033 (7/10/2006)
Your Husband, Dad, Grandpa and Uncle touched my life and others more than words can ever tell you. Please know that we share in your sorrow as we loved him too. May our Compassionate Lord touch all of you now in your pain and sorrow. With deepest admiration for all of you, Holly and Logan (my 5 year old stepson)
   ~ Holly Bendigo 18933 39 South Road, Howes, SD 57748 (7/10/2006)

Flowers

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