Wesley H Sandsted

Memorial Services for Wesley H. Sandsted will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church at Holdrege, Nebraska on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Dale Lambert, officiating. Private family inurnment will be held prior to the services at Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Wesley Harold Sandsted, 98 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Wesley was born on November 6, 1910 on the family farm south of Holdrege in Phelps County, Nebraska, the third of four children born to William and Otelia (Samuelson) Sandsted. In 1920 the family moved to a developing farm near Tucson, Arizona. Two years later the family returned to the Alfred Sandsted farm in Phelps County, southeast of Holdrege. Wesley attended rural school District #13 and graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1929. He was a member of the Nebraska National Guard for three years and attended Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska for two terms and was on the football team. He then retuned to Phelps County to farm with his father.

On May 10, 1942 at Friend, Nebraska he was united in marriage to Dorothy Elm with Pastor Raymond Sandsted officiating. Two sons were born to this union: Gary Wayne and Brent Edward.

Wesley was a life long member of the United Methodist Church, served on the Church Board and as an usher. He was a board member of several organizations including: Phelps County Farm Bureau, Phelps County Feeders and Growers Association, Sodbuster Saddle Club, Holdrege Kiwanis, CO-OP Oil and was Co-Chairman of a 4H Club. He was also a lifelong member of Phelps County Historical Society and in his retirement years was a volunteer for the Food Pantry, Senior Center and Kiwanis Club. Throughout the years, Wesley was also a member of the Prairie Shufflers Square Dance Club and Holdrege Elks Club #2062.

Wesley and Dorothy retired from farming in 1976 and moved to Holdrege in December of 1979. He enjoyed agriculture and felt privileged to see the advancement of its related technology over his lifetime. He progressed from farming with horses to tractors and pivot irrigation. He also enjoyed playing cards and sports. Wesley and Dorothy enjoyed several bus tours and automobile trips during their retirement years. They celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary in May of 2007, while residing at Holdrege Memorial Homes.

Besides his parents, Wesley was preceded in death by his son, Brent in 1975; two brothers: Raymond Sandsted and his wife, Mildred and Roger Sandsted; one sister, Helen Henderson and her husband, Joe; and three nephews.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of 67 years of Holdrege; one son, Gary Sandsted and his wife, Carol of Grand Island, Nebraska; two grandchildren: Todd Sandsted of Lincoln, Nebraska and David Sandsted of Crete, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Gwen Sandsted of Freeville, New York and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorial Book Signing will be held at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and kindly suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege or to the donor's choice.

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.