Final tribute to the late S. J. Sandness, 89, who died September 16 in Mercy Hospital at Valley City was paid in funeral services conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, at the High Prairie Lutheran Church at Benson Corners.

Officiating was the pastor, Rev. G. B. Sandanger of Fort Ransom, assisted by Rev. S. N. Engelstad of LaMoure.

Music included a solo by Mrs. Leonard Tomt, and two hymns by the church quartet.

Pallbearers were Edwin Benson, Alfred Walterson, Louis Lere, Melvin Holt, F. W. Maier and A. L. Loucks.

Burial was in the High Prairie Church Cemetery.

Tribute to the departed pioneer was paid in the large attendance, in the profusion of beautiful flowers and the many Memoriam gifts to worthy causes.

Sivert J. Sandness, the son of Johannes and Martha Sandness, was born July 13, 1856 at Sovde, Sondmore, Norway.

He received a common school education.

At the age of 24, he migrated from Norway to the United States, homesteading near Fosston, MInn.
In 1891, he moved from Fosston to Pearl Lake Township in LaMoure County, buying the homestead farm on which his father, the late Johannes Sandness, had filed.

He married Ragna Skaar on July 23, 1893 at the Benson Corners Church.

Mr. Sandness was a member of the High Prairie Lutheran Church of Benson Corners, of which he served for several years as secretary and deacon.

He served as treasurer of Pearl Lake School District and as a supervisor of Pearl Lake township for a number of years.

For the last several years he had made his home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Aarseth of LaMoure.

The couple celebrated their golden wedding in 1943.

Surviving are his widow and eight children. Albert, Jeffry, Martin and Olaf and Mrs. Albert Aarseth of LaMoure, Mrs. P. C. Lere of Aberdeen, S. Dak., Arnold of Valley City and Ralph of Kingsley, Iowa. He leaves also, three sisters, Mrs. Anne Johnson and Mrs. Matt Sandness of LaMoure and Miss Josephine Sandness of Fargo.

All the children and their families were home for the funeral.

Published in the LaMoure Chronicle, LaMoure, North Dakota, sept 27, 1945.

Submitted by Dennis C. Olson #48363213