Alvin Sandmeyer

Alvin Sandmeyer, age 87, of St. James, died on Monday, January 24, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Funeral services will be 11am, Saturday, January 29, 2022, at First Lutheran Church in St. James. Burial will follow at Mt Hope Cemetery with full military honors provided by the St. James Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be Friday at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James from 4-7pm and at the church one hour before services on Saturday. Alvin Leo Sandmeyer of St. James passed away on January 24, 2022 while surrounded by his loving family at St. Marys Hospital, Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Rochester, MN at the age of 87 from complications related to heart failure. Alvin was the oldest of six children born to Leo and Lenora (Hanson) Sandmeyer in St. James, MN on February 20, 1934. He was baptized and confirmed at St. James Catholic Church, and later joined the Lutheran church after his marriage to Phyllis "Jean" Wilke on October 17, 1959. They made their home in St. James, MN, and had one daughter, Kristine-and "that was quite enough." Alvin attended District No. 45 rural country school and graduated from St. James High School in 1952. He enjoyed attending his yearly class reunions. Don't ever let him tell you he had to walk three miles uphill both ways to that country school. It's a lie. It's 1.5 miles and a strait shot from the farm. Alvin enlisted in the Army in 1956 and completed basic training in 1958. His most memorable moment was meeting Elvis Presley and sharing a few beers with him while he was stationed at Fr. Hood. Elvis autographed a dollar bill that Alvin sent back to his fiance, Jean. He served in the National Guard from 1959-1961. Alvin spent many years working in the food industry. He started at Tony Downs Foods in St. James, Green Giant (St. James and Le Sueur), Land O' Lakes (Mt. Lake), Swift Ekrich/Con Agra/Smithfield Foods (St. James). For the latter three jobs, he maintained the boilers and refrigeration systems and was a Maintenance Supervisor. Alvin spent several years working with the St. James and Mt. Lake Police and Sheriff's departments. In the late 70's through the mid 90's, he ran Al's Repair (a small appliance repair service) out of his basement. If anyone needs a belt or hose for an early 80's model vacuum, Kristi knows where you can get them real cheap! If you are missing your lamp, we may still have it in dad's basement. After his official retirement and Jean's death in 2005, he started working at the parts counter of Fleet Farm/Ace Hardware of St. James until he "retired" in July of 2020. He was also the boiler operator for the First Lutheran Church until fall of 2021. The only thing that stopped him from his beloved work was his weakening heart. He missed it every single day along with all the people that he would see at Fleet. Please know he loved those interactions. In his spare time, he loved to spend time with his daughter and her family, watch TV, (Twins and Golf were priority). He was forced to cook and bake after Jean died and it became a great hobby. He frequently would feed the Fleet crew and First Lutheran Church staff sweet and savory treats. Alvin loved to hunt and fish near Lake Vermilion with his Four Season Shack crew. He and a group of his friends built the rustic cabin, outhouse and sauna in the mid 1970's. He continued to hunt that land until his knees no longer allowed him to climb through the forest. He had a group of hunting and fishing friends in Kearney, NE that he joined every spring and fall. He loved to golf with his friends, travel, and spend time helping friends with projects. He loved Mexican food, jalapenos or anything hot and spicy, large margaritas, drinks with friends, Bloomin' Onions, peaches and free apples. He spent a lot of time at Mayo Clinic in Rochester (the man was like a cat; he had 9 lives and used them all). Need a tool? Al might have what you need. If he had one of an item, he had at least three! He would never skip the opportunity to pick up a coin found-a tradition valued by Natasha. A big bowl of ice cream before bed was routine. You may have also heard of his special brew, "Old Farts Two Ball Solution - It's for sipping." Alvin was a man who was as quick on his feet as he was with his wits. He had a personality that could put a smile on anyone's face. Kristi thought that Alvin would want to be remembered as friendly, helpful and hardworking; she specially admired his great work ethic. Alvin was preceded in death by his wife, parents, mother and father-in-law Delores and Norman Haugen and her first husband, Walter "Bud" Wilke, two brothers, Dewey and Larry Sandmeyer, his sister Betty Fennern; Brothers-in-law John Erickson and Jim Hasher; Sisters-in-law Kathy Wilke, Lois Wilke, and Marsha Wilke, Helen and Henry Nett, and many other relatives and great friends. He is survived by his daughter Kristine Nett and her husband Mike, and their children, Natasha and Alex Nett) Alvin's only grandchildren), all of Rochester, MN. Sisters, Cleo Erickson and Judy Jones (Allen), Sisters-in-law Judy Sandmeyer, Mary Sandmeyer, Rolene Hasher, Brothers-in-law Roger Fennern, David Wilke, Don Wilke and his special friend Barb Douglas, Arlo and Marilyn Hunstad, Debra Lindberg (Ken), Angela Mott (Dennis) and multiple nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Alvin also had hundreds of cousins and great friends as well as the Nett family. Memorials may be directed to an organization of choice or the family to pay for expenses. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, January 28, 2022 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday, January 29, 2022 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Saturday, January 29, 2022 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081