Delbert Sandhoefner

Delbert Sandhoefner, age 95, of Sleepy Eye went home to be with his Savior on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Divine Providence Home. Delbert was born on April 13, 1922 to Joseph and Frieda (Beyer) Sandhoefner in New Ulm, MN. At the age of 9 he moved to Sleepy Eye with his family. He attended St. John's Lutheran School and graduated from Sleepy Eye Public High School. He married Eunice Markert on June 24, 1941. Delbert, a WWII Veteran, served his country in the Army Air Force as a Lieutenant and a B-17 Navigator from 1943-1946. Following his honorable discharge Delbert and Eunice returned to Sleepy Eye where they made their home and raised their family, owning and operating the DelRoy Hotel for 31 years (presently the Railway Bar and Grill). Delbert has been a member of St. John's Lutheran Church for 87 years, serving 21 years as financial secretary. He was a member of the Sleepy Eye Drum and Bugle Corp from 1938 to 1949 which won multiple state honors and competed nationally in Florida. Delbert was a member of the Sleepy Eye Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years, 7 years as Fire Chief. He was a member of the Sleepy Eye Lions Club for 67 years, serving as the "Lion Tamer" for 62 years. He served the city as an election judge for decades and also was a long time member of the American Legion Honor Guard and played the drum roll as taps were played for many funerals. Delbert was an avid fisherman and hunter, enjoying many excursions with family and friends, locally, and as far as Wyoming and Canada. He enjoyed watching Minnesota sports and following high school teams. He is survived by Eunice, his wife of 76 years; son, Lynn (Jan) Sandhoefner, Minnetonka, their children, Steve (Kim) and Krista; son-in-law, Gary Simenson, Eden Prairie, his daughters, Julia and Sarah (Ryan), daughter, Jill (Bill) Reck, Crookston, their children, Heather (Rob), Jon (Martha), Holly (Danny); 3 step-grandsons and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and brothers-in-law, Viola and Roy Suker, Delores and Earl Kruger, daughter Renae Simenson and a step-granddaughter. Blessed be the memory of Delbert. Memorials preferred to St. John's Lutheran Church, and the Sleepy Eye Volunteer Fire Department. or the Sleepy Eye Lions Club. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, April 12, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Visitation 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, April 13, 2018 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye 221 Walnut Street SE Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Service Information 11:00 am Friday, April 13, 2018 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye 221 Walnut Street SE Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Interment Information Home Cemetery 700 St. Mary's St. N.E. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Military Honors By the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard.