Rev. Marvin E. Sandness died peacefully on Monday, October 9, 2017, surrounded by family at his home in Rochester, Minn. He was born on August 9, 1936, in La Moure, N. Dak., to Martin and Pearl Sandness. He attended Jamestown College in North Dakota and Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., in 1962. He served parishes in Madelia, Tyler, St. Paul and Minneapolis, all in Minnesota. The culmination of his pastoral ministry was the 16 years he spent serving Christ Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill in St. Paul, working with refugee resettlement programs serving predominately Asian and African immigrants. He loved his family and his calling as a pastor. He was gifted with a voice that allowed him to sing his faith and lead others in worship and praise. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rebecca (Bremseth) Sandness, sons Mark of Rochester, Minn., Stephan (Laura) of Spearfish, S. Dak., daughter Kari (Kurt) Bruwelheide of Silver Spring, Md., six grandchildren: Kent, Rebecca, Karin, and Leith (Sandness), and Beret and Calvin (Bruwelheide). He is also survived by his two sisters, Liz (Richard) Rusk and Myrt (Lloyd) Brutlag and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Marv will be held on Saturday, October 21 at 11 a.m., at Mount Olive Lutheran Church of Rochester, Minn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., Mount Olive Lutheran in Rochester, or the donor’s choice.
To leave a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.