Shirley Sand

Shirley S. Sand, died peacefully the morning of Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at Altru Health System in Grand Forks, ND. He is survived by Phyllis (Newnam) Sand, his wife of 63 years, their four children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.Shirley was born on September 5, 1930, in Mohall, ND, the son of Henry and Rose (Schnabel) Sand. He graduated from Langdon, ND, high school in 1949. He left home for Alaska, where he worked as a mechanic at Lad Air Force Base. He later returned to Langdon to work for a road construction company in Cavalier County.Shirley served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Riley, KS, and at Fort Bragg, NC. He returned to Langdon, where he worked for 12 years with his father and brother at Sand Blacksmith shop. After sustaining a back injury, he decided to sell his share of the business.Shirley then moved to Grand Forks, where he graduated from Aaker’s Business College with an Associate’s Degree in Business and Accounting. Starting in 1969, he worked as a welder for Minnkota Power Company. In 1976, he began developing real estate at the North West Angle in northern Minnesota, while living in Larimore and Grand Forks. He moved to Parkwood Place Living Center, Grand Forks, in 2012. Along with working in the great outdoors, Shirley enjoyed Sand family reunions at Wood Lake, playing cards (pinochle), and chess.Shirley married Phyllis Newnam on August 24, 1952, at First Presbyterian Church of Minot. She survives along with sons, Tom (Mary) Sand and Jim Sand; daughters, Cathy (Pete) Nielsen and Connie (Rudy) Bellomy; grandchildren, Taylor Sand, Jada Sand, Chad Sand, Andy Nielsen and Cyndi (Zach Hill) Nielsen; great grandchildren, Serenity and Zayva Hill; brother, Harvey Sand; Sisters, Jane Jaffee and Lavina (Elmer) Henschel; several nieces and nephews.Shirley was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Rose.Memorial Services will be 2:00 Saturday, February 6, 2016 in the Chapel of Parkwood Place Living Center, 749 S. 30th St., Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service at Parkwood Place. Arrangements are with Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks, ND. www.amundsonfuneralhome.com