Charles Sands of Annandale died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at Savanna Prairie in Kimball. He was 80.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale with Rev. Alex Becker officiating. Burial will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at the church. The service will be live-streamed on the funeral home website.
Chares Aaron Sands was born March 11, 1942, in Faribault, Minn., to Harold and Helen (Flom) Sands. He grew up in Kenyon and was both baptized and confirmed in his faith at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. At a young age, Charlie’s parents fostered his love of music, a love that continued during his lifetime. Following his high school graduation in 1960, Charlie attended Mankato State University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in music education. Charlie began his teaching career in Rushford. On May 21, 1966, Chuck was united in marriage to Arlene F. Kluck at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. After living in Rushford, Chuck and Arlene moved to Minneapolis before moving to Annandale in 1970. Charlie was the band director for the Annandale Schools until the early 1980s. Once done teaching, Chuck had various work endeavors such as selling insurance, and working his way up from district manager to regional manager for World Book Encyclopedia. However, in order to become regional manager, Charlie and Arlene would have had to relocate their family, so it was decided to pursue other work interests. Chuck always honed his musical talents by playing in various musical groups such as the Manhattan, Arlene Sands Show, and As You Like It, among others. A gifted musician, Charlie was able to play almost any instrument. Chuck loved to spend time at the family cabin on Island Lake, near Emily. He loved the time away, serenity of the outdoors, and being on the water either boating or fishing. He also enjoyed spending time on the golf course. Charlie always had a magnetic personality and would quickly make friends with a stranger.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Arlene; children Tim (and Sally) Sands of Albany, Melody (and Brian) Sweeney of Plymouth, and Vicki (and Jim) Roehl of Maple Grove; grandchildren Alex Burg, Kathryn and Zachary Sands, Blake, Madison and Sam Sweeney, and Oliver Roehl; siblings David (and Marjorie) Sands of Sac City, Iowa, Julie Sands of Minneapolis, and Stephen (and Judy) Sands of Minnetonka; nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.
Charlie’s grandchildren will serve as urn bearers. Becky Unger, Mark and Ardis Nelson, Nancy Berg, and Knute Sands will provide music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.