Robert J Sandvik

Robert Joseph Bob Sandvik, 85, of La Crescent died Friday, August 23, 2013, at home surrounded and cared for by his family.

He was born in Slayton, Minnesota, on March 9, 1928, to Martin and Regina (Fitzgerald) Sandvik. Not long after, the family moved to Mankato, MN, where Bob lived until joining the U.S. Navy in 1946. He served on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt as a radar technician until being honorably discharged in 1948. Returning to Mankato, he attended Mankato State Teachers College graduating with a degree in Business in 1952. There he met his first wife Edna Boerhave. They had nine children, eventually settling in La Crescent in 1956 where he soon began a long career as a sales representative of the Jamesway Division of Butler Manufacturing. In February of 1975, Bob married Marti Nelson, blending the Sandvik / Nelson families. Bob retired from Jamesway in 1981, and together Bob and Marti worked to grow Old Hickory Orchards and to develop housing opportunities on the north side of La Crescent. Because of their strong sense of community and great generosity, Bob and Marti donated land for three of La Crescents city parks: Harris Park, Old Hickory Park and Eagles Bluff Park. Bob was a member of the Gittens-Leidel American Legion Post 595 La Crescent, the Knights of Columbus, and the La Crescent Rotary Club.

Bob is survived by his 12 children and 35 grandchildren: Bobbi (John) Haugan of La Crescent and their children Karn (Mark) Schwartzoff, Robyn (Neal) McCullough, and Caitlin; Martin (Mary) Sandvik of Eagan, Minn., and their children Ben and Dane (Lindsey); Mickey Hall of Hokah; Kim (George) Karr of La Crescent and their children Mitch and Jeff; Peggy (David) Boots of Vermillion, S.D., and their children Nathan and Jordan; Brian (Lynne) Nelson of La Crescent and their children Rachel and Jessica; Fred (Connie) Sandvik of La Crescent and their children Kayla, Morgan, and Joe; Kim (Tom Gittens) Nelson of Brownsville and their children Jennifer (Mark), Emily, Mollie, Matt, Bethany, and Ali; Lisa (Jim Mau) Sandvik of La Crescent and their children Tony (Angie), Zach, Evan (Jessie), Bob (Jennifer), and Megan; Nancee Nelson of La Crosse and her children Sam, Steve, Will, and Vincent; Joseph Sandvik of Woodbury, Minn., and his children Jack and Andrew; and Steven (Sandy) Nelson of Apple Valley, Minn., and their children Zach, Marissa, Hillary, and Nick. Robert is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Schuyler, Dylan, Cameron, Savannah, Nelson, Elisa, Liam, George, Marjorie, and Alexander; two brothers, Terry (Ann) Sandvik of Burnsville, Minn., and Ron (Rita) Sandvik of St. Peter, Minn.; and a sister, Val (Gene) Vogel of Mankato, Minn.

In addition to his wife Marti, Bob was preceded in death by a son, John, his parents, two great-grandsons, Louie and Liam Gardella.

The family would like to recognize and extend great thanks to Dr. Peter Franta for all his care over the years, and a very special thanks to the hospice nurses of Mayo Clinic Health Systems.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 28,th th2013 at the Church of the Crucifixion, 407 S. Second St., La Crescent. Rev. Gregory Havel will officiate. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Crucifixion Cemetery. Friends may call on the family at the church on Tuesday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at the church Wednesday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials are preferred to Crucifixion Elementary School in La Crescent, and the La Crescent American Legion. Arrangements were made by Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation services, La Crescent.