Leonard 'Big Sandy' Sander

Leonard (Big Sandy) Sander passed away January 28, 2014 in Commerce City, Colorado. He was 74 years of age at the time of his death.

Leonard was born to Lester and Alice Sander on February 3, 1939 in Harbachville, east of Custer, South Dakota. He married Karen Jean Jacobson on August 14, 1960 in Custer, South Dakota.

He worked as a certified welder, iron worker, bodyguard for Patsy Cline, coal miner, contracting business owner and woodworker, after serving time with the U.S. Army, where he was the 1957 Boxing Light/Heavy Weight Runner-up. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, his many animals, being creative, working on his many wood projects, enjoying God's country and retelling precious past memories. He was a loving father, extremely generous and a man who truly enjoyed and deeply valued his friendships.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen (Jacobson) Sander, his parents, Lester and Alice Sander, and a brother, Bernard Sander.

He is survived by his three children; daughter Susan Ruff and her husband, Brian of Fort Collins, Colo .; son Dustin Jacobson and his wife, Stacey of Frederick, Colo .; and son Brandon Jacobson and his wife, Megan of Cheyenne; six grandchildren, Sydney, Austin, Morgan, Ireland, Hadley, and Delilah; two brothers, Tim Sander of Custer, SD and Keith Sander and Linda Wagner of Hanna; one sister, Nora Lee Demarce and her husband, George of Casper; his special companion, Nancy Jenks of Commerce City, Colo. and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A viewing will be held on Monday, Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Encampment. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m., Feb. 3, at the Encampment K-12 School, followed by a dinner and a celebration of life at the Grand Encampment Opera House. Cremation and internment of the ashes will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name at the Rawlins National Bank, P.O. Box 100, Rawlins, WY 82301. Tributes and condolences may be left online at http://www.carboncountyfuneralhome.com.