Minne M. “Mike” SANDSTRA

April 30, 1939 – April 11, 2019
After a courageous battle with cancer, Mike passed peacefully into glory on April 11, 2019. Mike was born in Oosterend, The Netherlands, to Ulbe and Willemke Sandstra. He immigrated with his family to the Nobleford/Granum, AB area in 1952. Mike worked in the beet fields, on the family farm, for Ellison Flour and then moved to Innisfail to work at the Innisfail Seed Cleaning plant. He married Wilma, on July 8, 1961. They moved the family to Red Deer in 1969 where he and his brother Marvin purchased a trucking company which they operated until 1987. Mike then purchased a farm, developed it and ran a farrow to finish hog barn, cow calf and sheep operations with the help of his son, Phil, for numerous years. They moved back into Red Deer in 2003. Mike was a long standing member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Red Deer where he served as both elder and deacon. He is survived by his loving wife, Lila, of 3.5 years, and his children: Ron & Anita Sandstra: Chris & Cheryl Sandstra (Vaughn, Shay); Dan (Kainen, Julia), Joel & Kristine Sandstra (Lincoln); Phil & Gayle Sandstra: Brianna Sandstra & Carter Denbury (Kara-Leigh), Desiree Sandstra, Dakota Sandstra; Anita & Rob Entingh: Richard & Sarah Entingh, Jason Entingh; Wilma & Richard Vander Leek: Matthew & Stephanie Vander Leek (Gabriel, Nathaniel, Bennett, Christian); Justine & Andrew Bromley (Sophie, Charlotte, William, Juliet); Karissa & Andrew (Aria, Aiden); Brayden & Katrina Vander Leek (Silas); Ted & Brigitte Le Normand (Marco, Alice, Leo); Siblings: Peter (Hazel) Sandstra, Marvin (Wilma) Sandstra, Jenny (Wayne) Wright, and Sid (Jeanette) Sandstra; his stepsiblings (Mary) DeJong, Jan (Joan) DeJong, Magda (Jim) Dykstra, Johan (Marian) DeJong, Joanne (Curt) Rozendaal, Tony DeJong, and Henry (Linda) DeJong. Mike is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Mike was predeceased by his first wife of 53 years, Wilma (2013), his mother, Willemke (1976), his father, Ulbe (2010), step-mother Johanna (2002), three sisters; Tryntje Sandstra (1948), Ann Gerlat (2018) and Grace Holtrop (2019); his brother, Henry Sandstra (2013); brother-in-law’s, Bob Holtrop (1974), Ed Gerlat (2017); sister-in-law, Nellie Sandstra (2019); step-sister Audrey DeJong (1979); Step-brothers, Gerry DeJong (2005), and Dick DeJong (2007); nephews, Ernie Holtrop (1979) and Sid Holtrop (1980), Joshua Sandstra (2001); and niece, Jannel Sandstra (2017).
Mike will be remembered for his ability to do anything for ‘a minute.’ A Celebration Service of Mike’s life will be held at First Christian Reformed Church, 16 McVicar Street, Red Deer, AB at 1:30 pm on Saturday, April 20, 2019. A private family interment will be held prior to the Celebration Service. In honour of Mike, memorial donations may be made to the Red Deer Cancer Centre, c/o Red Deer Regional Hospital, 3942 50A Ave, Red Deer, AB T4N 4E7 or Red Deer Hospice Society, 99 Arnot Ave, Red Deer, AB, T4R 3S6.

• Date : 2019-04-11
• Location : Red Deer, Alberta