Doran A. Sand

Published March 01, 2021 at 11:14 PM

Doran A. Sand, 82, of Grand Forks, ND passed away surrounded by his loving wife and family on Friday, February 26, 2021 at his home in Grand Forks.

Doran Aloysius Sand was born on April 24, 1938 in Cando, ND the son of Leo and Lucille (Ulrich) Sand. He was raised and educated in Cando. Doran enlisted in the United States Navy on October 4, 1955 at Cando ND and served aboard the USS Iowa and USS Galveston. Doran married Marilyn Zimmerman on November 8, 1958 in Philadelphia, PA. He was honorably discharged from military service on April 23, 1959. Doran and Marilyn returned to Cando and in 1973, they moved to Grand Forks. Doran was employed as a plumber with Alden-Braseth Plumbing and Heating. He went on to develop the Plumbing Division of Vilandre Heating in Grand Forks. He was employed with Vilandre Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing until his retirement in June of 2003.

Doran was a “Jack of all Trades”. He was a hard-working man and was always helping people to remodel or fix things. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to Sioux Hockey games, garage sales and collecting saws. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Doran and Marilyn loved going out to dance and always attended events of their children and grandchildren. Doran loved singing with his grandchildren and teaching them bar room poetry. He was a longtime member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn; his sons, Brian (Rhonda) Sand, Greg (Mary) Sand; his daughters, Doreen Homuth and Barbara (Greg) Murphy, all of Grand Forks, ND; brothers, Daryl Sand, Arvada, CO and Joel (Lorraine) Sand, Cando, ND; a sister, Geraldine (Mrs. Harold) Holien, Cando, ND; grandchildren, Chad (Alyssa) Boese, Lauren Homuth, Lacey (Jason) Schuler, Melissa (Trevor) Lennon, Sarah (Michael) Storandt, Molly Sand, Audrey Sand, Zachary Murphy and Jacob Murphy; 6 great-grandchildren, with one great-grandchild on the way; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Thomas Paul; a granddaughter, Jaclyn Sand; brothers, Duane Sand and Donald Sand; a sister, Kathryn Baker; a sister-in-law, Sharon Sand and a brother-in-law, Harold Holien.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Michael’s Catholic Church-Stained Glass Renovation Fund or Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Mass of Christian Burial: 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2021 in St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.

Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Friday.

Due to COVID-19 concerns face masks and social distancing will be required at the visitation and funeral.

To view the livestream funeral, please visit normanfuneral.com/obituary/doran-sand

Burial: In the spring at Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.

Military Honors: Accorded at the time of burial by members of the American legion Post 157, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 and the United States Navy Reserve.

The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com

(The Historic Norman Funeral Home, Gran Forks, ND)