Bruce Sandahl, 75

Bruce Sandahl, 75, of Lancaster, Minn., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, after his battle with cancer.
Bruce was born on March 13, 1948, to Allan and Elayne (Green) Sandahl in Thief River Falls, Minn. He was the oldest of five children. He lived and went to school in Lake Bronson until 1959.
His family then moved to Thief River Falls, Minn., where his mother taught school and his father worked as a carpenter. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1966. He attended Northland Community College and received an associate of arts degree. He then went to Bemidji State College to complete a four-year degree in secondary education with a major in social studies. He graduated in June of 1970. Bruce met his wife Diane while both were attending Northland Community College.
Bruce and Diane were married on Sept. 21, 1968. They lived in Bemidji, Minn., while attending college, until they moved to Lancaster in 1970, where they’ve lived since. The couple had two children, Carl and Sonja. Carl was born on March 24, 1968, and Sonja on July 9, 1972.
Bruce worked at the school as a social studies teacher, and Diane was an elementary teacher. Bruce was beloved by his students and taught at the school until he retired at the age of 57. Although he retired from the formal position, his teaching never stopped. He taught countless lessons on life to everyone who met him. He also operated a successful taxidermy business, called Sandahl Taxidermy, and sent mounts all over the country. His love for taxidermy was born from his passion for hunting, and he’s been doing both since he was a child.
Throughout his life, Bruce also worked jobs as a butcher for a locker plant, a farm hand and a carpenter. He was a man of many talents.
Bruce loved hunting and fishing, and he went on many trips all over the world to fulfill his love for these hobbies. He made many friends who shared in this love over the years, and they all brought so much joy to his life.
Bruce is survived by: his wife, Diane; daughter, Sonja (Kevin) Klein; daughter-in-law, Leanna Sandahl; grandchildren, Kennedy (Nolan) Rockstad, Peyton Klein, Lauren Klein and Carl Sandahl Jr.; siblings, Neal (Lana) Sandahl, Steven (Cindy) Sandahl, Jerry (Shawn) Sandahl, and Nancy (Guy) Finstrom; and numerous nieces, nephews, and brothers- and sisters-in-law.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Elayne and Allan Sandahl; and his son, Carl Sandahl.
Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the Sion Lutheran Church in Lancaster. Interment will be at Riverview Memorial Gardens in Lancaster. A prayer service will be held at the church the night before, Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. with visitation for an hour before.
Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock, is in charge of arrangements. www.austinfuneralchapel.com.