Harold "Sandy" W. Sandell

Funeral Services for Harold W. "Sandy" Sandell will be conducted from the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Jan Gluth King, officiating.  Interment will be held following the services in the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, with military honors provided by the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the United States Air Force Military Honors Team.

Harold William "Sandy" Sandell, 94 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.  Harold was born March 17, 1924 in Holdrege, the youngest of three children born to Oscar W. and Mabel A. (Fagerstone) Sandell.  He received his education from Holdrege Public Schools, graduating from Holdrege High School with the class of 1943. Where he was active with the drum and bugle corps.

Following his education, Harold was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps on June 24, 1943.  Harold was stationed in Manchester, England for two years, where he served his country in communications as a teletype operator and cryptographer in the Air Force during WWII. On April 8, 1946, Harold was honorably discharged from the service, and pursued watch making as a trade in Denver, Colorado.

After his watch making and jewelry training, Harold returned to Phelps County, and began working for Hull Jewelry Store in Holdrege.  In August of 1958, Harold ventured into business on his own and founded Sandy's Jewelry.

On June 16, 1957, he was united in marriage to Marian Junette Johnson at the Berea Lutheran Church in rural Chappell, Nebraska.  To this union four children were born:  Todd William, Craig Alan, Carma Jo, and Wendy Lou.  The family made their home in Holdrege, where Harold was a long-time businessman and owner of Sandy's Jewelry.  Sandy was honored by the many relationships he built with his customers over the years.  Following his 50-year business career, Harold retired in 2005.

Throughout his lifetime, Harold enjoyed many hobbies and interests which included:  woodworking, fishing, antiques, artifacts, old cars, model making, taxidermy, and was an avid reader.  His grandchildren were very special to him, and in return they loved Grandpa Sandy dearly.  He always had a special place in his heart for animals.  He was a long time member of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, and as a devoted Christian his faith and family were always in the forefront of his life.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Todd; his brother, John Robert Sandell; sister, Ruth M. Embrey and her two husbands:  Fred Graham and Vance Embrey; sister-in-law, Marlyce Cromwell; and brothers-in-law:  Dale Johnson and Ron Ericson.

Harold leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of 61 years, Marian Sandell of Holdrege; one son, Craig Sandell and his wife, Donetta of Holdrege; two daughters:  Carma Anderson and her husband, Doug of Funk, Nebraska, and Wendy Ostgren and her husband, Don of Holdrege; eight grandchildren:  Amber Peden of Gothenburg, Nebraska; Chad Sandell and his wife, Erica of Omaha, Nebraska; Jenae Svoboda and her husband, Adam of St. Paul, Nebraska; Shana Anderson of Los Angeles, California; Tiffany Anderson of Dallas, Texas; Jacob Anderson of Funk; Caleb Ostgren of Holdrege; and Ashlyn Ostgren of Lincoln, Nebraska; two great-grandchildren:  Ayden Ourada, and Barrett Peden; sisters-in-law:  Betty Sandell of Moscow, Idaho; Dee Ericson of Omaha; and Fauneil Johnson of Chappell; brothers-in-law: Vern Johnson and his wife, Linda of Chappell; and Eugene Cromwell of Genoa, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Sandy's honor, and kindly suggested to the Bethel Lutheran Church or the Nebraska Prairie Museum.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.