Earl 'Swede' Sands, 83

Earl "Swede" Sands, 83, passed away Dec. 26, 2008, at his home in Whitefish with his wife, Liz, and family by his side . He was born to Ingvald and Henrietta in Strathcoma, Minn., on April 25, 1925. At a young age he moved to the Flathead Valley, Lake Blaine area. He attended school at Cayuse Praire and Flathead County High School.

At the age of 16, he was inducted into the Marine Corps, and served for four years overseas during World War II. Upon his return home he received his high school diploma and heavy equipment operator license. He was also a cartoonist for the San Diego paper.He enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling, and took his daughter out target practicing.His many stories about his adventures in life will be missed.

In 1982, he married Mabel "Liz" Rath. Liz and Earl traveled for seven years, working on various construction sites constructing bridges and public buildings in the Southern states.They attended The Assembly of God churches, and enjoyed attending the Christian Center in Kalispell for the last 20 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lawrence and Gordon Sands; and sisters, Elizabeth Johnson, Beatrice Gordon, Olga Stahlberg and Eunice Johnsonn.He is survived by his wife, Mabel, "Liz" Sands, of 26 years; his sons, Gary, Dwight and David Sands, along with their families; his daughter, Tana Langlois, and grandsons, Jeremy, and SCP Justin Langlois of the Army, and wife Kim, and their children, Diego, William and Nicole; stepdaughter, Julie Singer, and her husband, Ed, and daughter, Sarah Emmert; sisters, Gladys Milam, who turned 100 years old, and Clarice Hewitt; and brother-in-law, Clyde Johnson.He is also survived by many nephews and nieces and friends.

The family suggests that any memorials be sent to The Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, or the Christian Center in Kalispell.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Jan. 17 at the Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Drive in Kalispell. His ashes will be scattered on Sands Mountain in the spring.