Dean A. Sande , 68, Bismarck and formerly of Minot, died Thursday, October 16, 2014, from a heart attack in a Bismarck hospital.

Dean was born on July 18, 1946, in Minot to Arthur M. and Laurette (Nelson) Sande. He was reared in Minot, graduated from Minot High School in 1965, and continued his education at Minot State College for two years prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1968. After a year's tour of duty in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, he was honorably discharged at Fort Carson near Colorado Springs, CO.

Dean married Sandra Norton in Minot on November 28, 1969. In 1972 he completed his college education, at Minot State, earning a degree in Business Administration. Red Owl Grocery Stores became his career and he eventually worked his way up to being a store manager until the stores were all closed. Then, he began a new job selling Gourmet Foods products to North Dakota stores, traveling for many years over his territory, driving about 1,200 miles a week. He also worked for Schock's Lock Service and then Creative Cabinetry.

A spontaneous brain bleed in August of 2010 led to brain surgery at Mayo Clinic, followed in the ensuing four years by two corrective eye surgeries. As he struggled through recovery and therapy, he also endured losing his home to the Minot Flood of 2011, which led to their relocation to Bismarck.

Being an avid outdoorsmen Dean enjoyed many outside activities including: snowmobiling, motorcycling, hunting, shooting and walking. He especially loved going on nature walks with Beck & Bree, his beloved Black Labrador dogs.

His pride and joy were his two children, both born in Minot. His son Brent - "The Kid", now in Gillette, WY, became his best friend, as well as his hunting and adventure buddy. Alesha, his daughter, was "Daddy's little girl - Pookie." Giving her in marriage to Keith Dockter on August 19, 2006, was an emotional but proud day for him. Then, he was blessed with two grandchildren, Callie Dockter, born in 2008, and Coy Dockter, born in 2010. They live in Bismarck, too, so he was able to enjoy family the last years of his life.

He left many wonderful memories that his family will cherish. He will be missed terribly, but never forgotten.

Dean's loving family includes his wife: Sandra Sande, Bismarck; son: Brent Sande (Justine Kapperud), Gillette, WY; daughter: Alesha (Keith) Dockter, Bismarck; grandchildren: Callie and Coy Dockter; father-in-law: Robert Peterson, Vancouver, WA; sisters: Jean (Ed) Heit, Glenburn and Jane (Robert) Shea, Minot; aunts: Martha Musch, Burlington, Jenny Rittenbach, Minot, Viola (Bill) Gronenthal, Tacoma, WA, Esther Lundt, Longview, WA, and Anna Steen, Plentywood, MT; nephews: Scott (Deanna) Heit and Brock (Jen) Bjelland; nieces: Missi (Justin) Payne, Mindy Jo (Mike) Halverson, Whitney Shea, and several cousins.

Dean was preceded in death by: his parents: Art and Laurette Sande; brother-in-law: Monte Norton; mother-in-law, Emma Norton Peterson; aunts and uncles: Alfred and Hattie Sande, Les and Carrie Smith, Dick Musch, Fred Rittenbach, Harry and Lila Olaf, Herbert Lundt, Hjalmer and Marion Nelson; cousins Jim Musch and Jim Nelson.

Celebration of the Life of Dean Sande: Friday, October 24, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot.
Cremation will take place following the church service. There are no burial plans at this time.
Visitation: Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials may be made in Dean\'s honor to a charity of the donor's choice, or a check may be made payable to Sandra Sande for an educational fund for Dean\'s grandchildren.