Bernard 'Bernie' Sand, 72

Bernard "Bernie" Sand, 72, of Miles City, formerly of Kalispell, died Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City. He was born in Buckman, Minn., on July 19, 1936, to Anthony and Dorothea Sand. At an early age, the family moved to Kalispell, where he attended schools and graduated from high school in 1954.

While in high school, he joined the 639th Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters Battery of the National Guard of Kalispell. A new program was started and he and five other guards were the first ones from Kalispell to be sent to Fort Ord, Calif., for their six-month basic training. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army.

He began working as a salesman for Valley Motor Supply in Kalispell and was transferred to several Montana locations.

While in Malta, he met Myrna Lake, whom he married in 1960.

He retired from Valley Motor Supply in Miles City in 1970. Bernie then began working for Gierke Distributing as a salesman, and retired from there after 20 years of service.

He remained busy in his retirement and helped out at The Miles City Greenhouse for Jim and Jane Dighans, who became very special friends to him.

Bernard loved being on and around the river where he would spend hours hunting agates, fishing and walking his dog, Sara. He had a special interest in stationary gas engines.

He was a past member of the Elks, Eagles and Jaycees.

Bernard is survived by his son, Michael Sand, and wife, Kristi, of Rapid City, S.D.; his daughter, Sharla Helland, and husband, Paul, of Miles City; seven grandchildren, Jason, Aaron and Kara Helland, Tony and Mitchell Sand, Maehyn Wishard and Ashley Johnson; three brothers, Jerome Sand and wife Nadine of Kalispell, Robert Sand of Kalispell, and Frederick Sand and wife Lenni of Marion; three sisters, Claudia Blumer and husband Harold of Kalispell, Marilyn Young-Jensen and husband Larry of Whitefish, and Shirley Lindgren and husband Eugene of Dufur, Ore; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by a daughter, Paula Sand Harris, in 1992.

A memorial service and celebration of his life was held Aug. 2 at the First Presbyterian Church in Miles City. Private graveside services were held in the family plot of the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City.