Paul A. Sandman

Paul A. Sandman, 51 of Hawley, died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, in his home after a 3-year battle with cancer.

Paul was born in Detroit Lakes in Nov 1966 to Stanley and Leatryce (Troseth) Sandman. He grew up northeast of Hawley and returned to that area in 2000 with his young family to build a home near his parents’ home. Paul met his loving wife Connie (Schmidt) during their years at MSU Moorhead and married in 1992. His two children, Erica (25) and Micah (22) were his pride and joy.

All who knew Paul, knew of his gregarious personality and outgoing nature. He enjoyed hunting, culminating with an elk hunt in Montana this fall with close friends and his son. He was a lifetime member at Rollag (WMSTR) where he loved camping, scooping ice cream, driving their restored tractors, and visiting with his many friends. His relationship to God was central in his life as shown through his deep involvement in his church, Hawley Alliance, and his strong faith that sustained him throughout his cancer journey. Paul was actively involved in the community where he continually connected with people—people who purchased cars from him in his sales positions, voted for him when he ran for State Representative, or heard him on the radio as the “color” for Hawley Nugget basketball and football games. He was a member of the Hawley Lions Club (and a strong supporter of the annual Breakfast on the Farm event), the Highland Grove Township Board, and the Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Paul is survived by his wife Connie; his children Erica of Moorhead and Micah of Fargo; his parents Stanley and Leatryce Sandman of Hawley; and his siblings Steve (Eleanor) Sandman of Fargo, and Mitzi (Paul Blechschmidt) of Portland, OR; and his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his dear cousin Valerie (Sandman) Sanders, Houston TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials be made to Hawley Alliance Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The funeral was Saturday, Dec. 30, at Hawley Alliance Church. Paul will be memorialized at Dale Covenant Cemetery in rural Hawley.