Brad Sanner

Brad E. Sanner, 54, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on September 22, 2017 following a hard fought battle with cancer and renal disease.  A memorial service will be held at Sharon Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, on Thursday, September 28, 2017  at 4:00 p.m. Memorials are preferred over flowers. Brad was born on October 21, 1962 in Minneapolis, MN, to Richard and Patricia Sanner.  He graduated from Bloomington Kennedy High School and the University of North Dakota.  He was an athlete participating in football, hockey, wrestling and track, and competing in triathlons in Minnesota. Brad played hockey during his college years on a club team in Canada, and later participated in Men’s league. Brad coached and refereed hockey starting in junior high school, and continued his passion for hockey refereeing park board, high school and men’s league hockey and coaching young children until his health interfered with his ability to continue.  He remained an active fan of professional sports and supporting his children’s’ sporting careers throughout his life. After Brad became sick with kidney failure, he returned to college to pursue a teaching degree.  Complicated health issues prevented him from completing that degree but he was so thankful to be able to work with children as a Para educator at South Middle School and Phoenix Elementary School for more than ten years before his health deteriorated.  He loved working with children and was a natural.  Children were drawn to him and he celebrated their accomplishments. Brad was a very proud father, enjoying his children’s school activities by attending concerts, plays, musicals, sporting events, science fairs, dance recitals and everything else he could share with them.  He delighted in their passions and interests and was determined to be here for his children as long as he possibly could.  Brad is survived by his wife of 31 years, Amy, and their six children; Kathryn (Bryce) Regan, Grand Forks, ND Janie (Zachary) Schroeder, Grand Forks, ND Brady, Grand Junction, CO, Rebecca (special friend Andrew), Seattle, WA, Lauren and Tessa, at home in Grand Forks. Brad was thankful to have had time to spend with his cherished Grandchildren, Hattie and Mathias. Also surviving are his mother Patricia, and brother Rick (Barb) Sanner, sister Karri Sanner. Nephew Michael (Candace) and child Freya Sanner. It was his love for his family that helped him endure many years of pain and gave him so much joy in return.  His father, and his maternal and paternal grandparents preceded him in death. His family would like to thank the Grand Forks community for all of their support over the years as we engaged in fund raising to help with medical expenses and for all of the love and encouragement we have gotten from so many. Also in our hearts are the wonderful doctors at Altru, Sanford in Fargo, and Rochester Mayo Clinic.  Thank you for the time you gave us with Brad.  God, if you have a Men’s league hockey team, we know Brad’s been waiting a long time to play!  Stay out of the penalty box Brad.