Merle Lee Sands

Merle Lee Sands was born on Wednesday, February 7, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the son of James Robert and Ida (Seifert) Sands. Merle lived in Overland Park, Kansas, twenty years, moving to the Ottawa, Franklin County area in 1970, where he made his home until his death on Sunday, September 2, 2007, at the age of seventy-three years. Merle attended schools in Edgerton and Gardner in Kansas, graduating from Gardner High School with the class of 1952. He worked for Ottawa Truck in the maintenance department during the 1980's and the Ottawa Country Club Pro Shop for twenty-six years, retiring in 2006. Merle served from 1950 until 1954 in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Corporal. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa. Merle was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, who loved being with his family. He was an outgoing man who never knew a stranger and was always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. In his spare time, Merle enjoyed playing golf and was an avid NASCAR and Kansas City Chiefs' fan. On May 1, 1954, Merle was united in marriage with Betty Jean Theno in Gardner, Kansas. They celebrated over fifty years together. Betty survives of their home. Merle is also survived by his mother, Ida Sands, of Ottawa, KS; three sons, Robert C. Sands and his wife, Betty, of Huntington, IN, Patrick L. Sands and his wife, Leesa, of Wellsville, KS, Scott Sands of Ottawa, KS; daughter, Sandra J. Kleier and her husband, Ron, of Spring Hill, KS; twelve grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Melva Sweetwood and her husband, Ernest, of Edgerton, KS, Barbara Curry and her husband, Charles, of Corvallis, OR; and two brothers, Robert Sands of Costa Mesa, CA, and Ronald Sands and his wife, Carol, of Ottawa, KS. He is preceded in death by his father, James Robert Sands. SERVICES: Family and friends will meet at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 5, 2007 for Graveside services. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Sands at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1:00 to 9:00 PM Tuesday where a prayer service will be held at 6:30 PM followed by a family visitation from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. CEMETERY: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the Franklin County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.