A Memorial Service for Dale Merlyn Sanden, 87 of Burnsville, MN will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD on November 4th, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Joshua Knudsen officiating. Special music by Mckenzie and Annika Sanden. Pianist will be Greta Leen. The Urn Bearer will be Nicholas Bellefeuille. Honorary Urn Bearers will be Katherine Bellefeuille, Sophia Bellefeuille, Mckenzie Sanden, and Annika Sanden. Dale will be laid to rest with his daughter at the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD with Military Rites by Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50 and Fort Sisseton VFW Post #3342.  There will be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Dale was born on April 17th, 1936 in Roberts County, South Dakota to Grace (Hawkinson) and Selmer Sanden on their farmstead.   Dale graduated from Sisseton High School and attended SD State University in Brookings, SD.  Dale served honorably in the US Air Force from1959 to 1962. Dale was married to Oletta (Olson) Sanden in June 1963.  For many years, Dale worked as a planning engineer at AT&T, retiring in 1992 after 32 years of service. During retirement, Dale traveled with his wife and family and was deeply involved with his grandchildren, always encouraging them to pursue their education and setting a great example with his kindness and patience.  Dale passed away peacefully at home in Burnsville, Minnesota after a yearlong battle with cancer on Sunday October 8th, 2023, surrounded by his loving family and supported by his hospice team.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Oletta (Olson) Sanden; sister Phyllis Nelson and husband Mervyn of Surprise, AZ;  brother Paul and wife Joanne Sanden of Federal Way, WA; daughter Dianne Bellefeuille and husband Scott of Farmington, MN; son David Sanden and partner Petra Kloess of Pequot Lakes, MN; son Daniel Sanden and wife Melissa of Plymouth, MN; and was the proud grandfather to Katherine Bellefeuille, Mckenzie Sanden, Nicholas Bellefeuille, Annika Sanden and Sophia Bellefeuille.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents Grace (Hawkinson) Sanden and Selmer Sanden; his infant daughter Carol Marie; brother John Sanden, and sister-in-law Beverly Sanden.