John August Sandeen, 69, Minot, died Friday, April 14, 2017 in a Minot hospital.

John August Sandeen was born August 29, 1947 in Minot to Edgar and Irene (Stoeckel) Sandeen. He was raised on the family farm near Mohall. He attended Clay Center School, a rural two-room school, for six years. He graduated from Mohall High School in 1965. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps while he was a senior in high school, and entered Marine Corps Basic Training in San Diego, California, on June 22, 1965. His service included a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam, and he was honorably discharged on February 26, 1967.

John farmed with his father for one year, then enrolled at the North Dakota School of Forestry (Dakota College at Bottineau). He received an Associate's Degree from NDSF in 1969. He then attended Minot State University, where he earned his BS in Education in 1972, with a major in History and a minor in Economics. He was awarded his MS in Education Administration from Tri-College University in Fargo in 1987.

John married Cindy Martens on March 11, 1976 in Minot, North Dakota.

He began a 33-year long career with the Minot Public Schools in 1972, teaching History at Memorial Junior High School on the Minot Air Force Base. In 1973 he was transferred to Minot High SchoolMagic City Campus when that school was opened. He taught Social Studies there for the next 19 years. In 1992 he was appointed Director of Souris River Campus, Minot High School's alternative school. He served in that capacity until 1994, when he became an Assistant Principal at Minot High SchoolCentral Campus. In 2002 John was named Head Principal at Minot High SchoolMagic City Campus. He retired from Minot Public Schools in 2005.

In December 2008, John was able to return to his beloved role as a teacher, when he was hired at Quentin Burdick Job Corps. In August 2009, he was called to serve as Interim Administrator at Our Redeemer's Christian School. He served in that capacity for one year, until a permanent administrator could be named. Most recently, he served as a paraprofessional at the school.

In the spring of 2007, John and Cindy purchased a small parcel of land near Garrison, and have spent every summer at what John lovingly called "Patriot Prairie."

From 1990 to 1998 John served First Baptist Church of Glenburn as a lay pastor. An opportunity that he took very seriously and enjoyed very much. He was a member of Our Redeemer's Church in Minot, where he was a trustee and usher. This role allowed John to serve others and his Lord.

As a professional educator, John was a member of the Minot Association of Classroom Teachers (Minot Education Association), and NDEA/NEA from 1972-1992. John served as President of MACT in 1977-1978. He was Social Studies Department Chair at Magic City Campus from 1987-1992. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity from 1988-2001, serving as President in 1994-1995. He was also a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders, and the Minot Administrator's Association from 1992 until his retirement in 2005.

John was a member of the American Legion from 1967 to the time of his death. He was a Charter Member of the John M. Joyce Detachment of the Marine Corps League from 1979-1986, serving as the Adjutant during this time. He was a member of the Ward County Historical Society from 1985 until his death, and served as Secretary in 1991. In 1991 John was invited to assist with the Mayor's Committee for the "Operation Desert Victory" celebration that year.

During the time John taught at Magic City Campus he instituted "Americanism Week" at the school which was celebrated annually for seven years, until he moved to Souris River Campus. For this work he was subsequently awarded the "Education Program Award" from the North Dakota American Legion, the "Meritorious Service Award" from Post #26 in Minot, the "Americanism Award" from Post #753, Minot, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also presented the "Service Award" from the John M. Joyce Marine Corps League of Minot.

John is survived by : his loving wife, Cindy, Minot; his daughter, Dusty (Jason) Zimmerman, Minot; his son, Jack (Dr. Ashley) Sandeen and grandsons Grayson and Beckett, Sioux Falls, SD. He is also survived by his sister, Bonita Lopez, San Tan Valley, AZ; brothers, David (Linda) Sandeen, Jacksonville, FL, and Joel (Nancy) Sandeen, Hutchinson, MN; and sister-in-law, Janet Sandeen, Stanley, ND. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Paul.

Celebration of Life service: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. in Our Redeemer's Lutheran Brethren Church, Minot.
Interment: In the Veterans Section of Rosehill Memorial Park with Military Honors accorded by the U.S. Marine Corps and Minot American Legion.
Visitation: Monday, April 17th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: preferred to Minot Public School Foundation or Our Redeemer's Christian School.