119 Third Street Southwest ~ Rugby, North Dakota ~ 58368-1797
Chapel of the Cross ~ Towner, North Dakota
Jon M. Stork - President / Licensed Director
Phone: 701.776.6381 ~ 701.537.5130
Fax: 701.776.5916
email: afhrugbytowner@gondtc.com
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Johnnie Dennis Sander
Johnnie Dennis C. Sander, the son of Anton F. and Magdalena (Lemer) Sander was born on November 2, 1947 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Rugby, North Dakota. He died suddenly and unexpected on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at the age of 69 years in the ER of the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby. Johnnie was raised in the rural home of his parents near Orrin, North Dakota and graduated from Rugby High School, the class of 1965. He completed his education at Hanson Mechanical Trade School in Fargo for auto mechanics. In 1967, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and following basic training he was stationed in South Vietnam for two tours of combat duty there. He was honorably discharged on June 14, 1973. Johnnie returned home to Rugby and worked as an auto mechanic for Gronvold Motor Co., Rugby Motor Co. and D&S Motors. Most recently he was a rural mail carrier stationed out of Towner, serving the Towner – Bantry rural communities. He was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church and the Clarence Larson American Legion Post # 23, all of Rugby. Johnnie was a life-long member of the Rugby Volunteer Fire Department and the Rugby Auxiliary Police. In his spare time, you would find him tinkering with something mechanical. Johnnie was a care free spirit, always a smile on his face, an avid reader and quite knowledgeable in history and politics. He is survived by his mother, Magdalena of Rugby; sisters, Dorothyjean Sander of Bismarck and Maryjo (Joe) Price of Douglas; brothers, Richard (Denise) and Anthony (Linda) both of Bismarck; nephews, Tyler Sander, Bismarck; Michael Price, Ames, Iowa and Jonathan Price of Bismarck. He was preceded in death by his father, Anton.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 16th at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with burial in the church cemetery. Father Tom Graner, Celebrant Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday with a rosary & prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. There will be no reviewal in the Church |
Posted Condolences:
Johnnie started school at Orrin when we were both in the 6th grade. He was a hard worker and I never, ever saw or heard him say anything bad about anyone. He was a decent, kind person. I still have our 8th grade Orrin graduation picture. We both graduated from Rugby High School the class of 1965 and lost touch after that. I so wished he would have attended our recent Class Reunions. I would have loved to have visited with Johnnie. According to Pete Goldade's family tree, Johnnie and I would have been second cousins somewhere in the 1750's. My deepest sympathies to Johnnies family and I truly know he is in heaven with our dear German from Russia ancestors.
Linda Lingohr Rehberg
Johnnie was greatly appreciated in this area for his wonderful service as a mail delivery man. He went the extra mile to help deliver the mail. He would actually take the mail to some homes where he knew the people were unable to walk to the box. He called ahead to let people know if the snow was keeping him from the mailbox. He had a kind greeting for all along the way. God bless his family. My husband had planned to have coffee with Johnnie when they had time off as both were in Chu Lai, Viet Nam at the same time...one in the Army, the other in the Navy.
Sharon St. Aubin
I had the pleasure of knowing Johnnie when I was a member of the Rugby Police Department. We could always count on Johnnie, no matter what day or what time, he was there for us. We shared a bond because both of us were Vietnam Vets and had transverse the course of history together. Even though Johnnie was in the Army, I would say to him Semper Fi.
Sleep well my friend, sleep well.
Jim H.
We are so sorry for your loss. We won't be able to attend the services as we have our granddaughter and need to return her to her home the afternoon of the funeral. Wish it would work out for us to be there. Know we are praying for Johnnie and all of you.
Tony & Joan Scheett
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