Ivan John Sansgard

IVAN SANSGARD, age 93, of Elmore, died Thursday, January 9, 2014, at St. Luke''s Lutheran Care Center, Blue Earth. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 13, 2014, at 11:00 AM, at St. John''s Lutheran Church in Elmore, with Rev. Dale Kohrs officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Elmore. Visitation time will be from 4:30 to 7:30 PM Sunday at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Blue Earth and one hour prior to services at the church. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.comIvan was born February 27, 1920, in rural Elmore, the son of John and Della (Hassebrock) Sansgard. He was born, raised and lived his entire life on the family farm east of Elmore. He was married to Evelyn G. Ristau on September 13, 1942 at St John''s Lutheran Church in Elmore. Ivan and Evelyn worked together on the family farm where they raised four children. Ivan was a longtime member of St. John''s Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir for 49 years and held several offices. He was a 4- H leader, member of the Lutheran Laymens League and was past president of the Aid Association for Lutherans where he helped many people in need. He was always quick to help friends and neighbors in need. Ivan was part of the Elmore Senior Citizens Center and was once named Faribault Co. Senior Citizen of the year. Ivan & Evelyn enjoyed a 71 year partnership serving their family and church.He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Sansgard of Blue Earth, his daughter, Jerolyne (Dale) Packer of Ames, Iowa, his son in law, Steven Olson of Inver Grove Heights, his son, Clair (Audrey) Sansgard of Charles City, Iowa, his daughter, Carol Anderson (& Special Friend Donovan Nielsen) of Mankato, his goddaughter, Betty Jacobson of Clara City, six grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and two great great grandsons.He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-Marilyn Olson, a grandson and a great grandson.Memorial donations are preferred to St. John''s Lutheran Church or the American Parkinson''s Disease Association.