LAWRENCE "TOBY" SANDE

LAWRENCE SANDE ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Hamilton Funeral Homes-Akkerman Chapel in Mora on Feb. 24, 2026.Lawrence "Toby" Elwood Sande, age 84, of Mora, Minnesota, passed away on February 23, 2026, at North Memorial Health – Robbinsdale Hospital.Toby was born on July 5, 1941, in Kanabec County, Minnesota, to Lloyd Sande and Ann (Cornelius) Sande Thoreson and was raised in Mora. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from April 15, 1959 to May 7, 1962. Following his military service, Toby made Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his home and had three sons with his first wife, Karen Sande (Kaun). On June 2, 1989, Toby married Susan (Wilkum) Sande in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and gained a stepdaughter.Toby was a member of the Operating Engineers Union for over 60 years. He was proud of the many large projects he had the opportunity to build over his long career. After retirement, he turned his focus to serving the Mora community, most notably on the Arthur Township Board. Toby was a man who rarely sat still. He enjoyed working outdoors and could often be found helping someone, tinkering with machinery, building something, or trying to get his garden to grow. He was most proud of his log cabin home, building most of it with his own hands. Although he was not a professional builder, he figured out how to create everything from the stone fireplace to the wood floors and everything in between. Even into his 80s, Toby remained active, cutting firewood, plowing his driveway, and mowing his lawn until he was 83.Toby loved taking his daily "loop" around town, stopping to visit friends, share coffee, and swap stories. He was widely known for his generosity and willingness to lend a helping hand. Toby will be remembered for his strong work ethic, generous spirit, love of the outdoors, and the friendships he cherished throughout his life. Those who spent time with Toby often heard him say at the end of a visit, "And a good time was had by all."Toby was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Susan Sande; his parents, Lloyd and Ann (Cornelius) Sande Thoreson; his stepfather, Wallace Thoreson; his brother-in-law, Leo E. Thomas; his nephew, David L. Thomas; and his close friend, who was more like a brother, Wayne Engberg. He is survived by his children, Daniel Sande (Lisa), David Sande (Beth), Dale Sande (Jennifer), and Kelly Hayes (Kevin); nine grandchildren, Michael, Andrew, Arianna, Nathan, Sara, Jack, Zoe, Olivia, and Zenna; his sister, Nancy Thomas; nieces Teresa Belden (Phil), Mary Thomas, Jeanne Borash (Brian), and Kathy Thomas; cousin Wade Chilton; and many dear friends. Special friendships with Fred Swatsky and Robin Priebe brought great joy to Toby's life, along with his friends from Trio Community Church.The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff at St. Clare Living Community for the care and compassion shown to Toby during the final months of his life.Memorials may be given to TRIO Community Church, the Kanabec History Center, or to a charity of your choice in his memory.A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 1, 2026 at the Hamilton Funeral Homes - Akkerman Chapel in MoraMemorial Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.Inurnment with Military Honors will follow at the Oakwood Cemetery in Mora.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of LAWRENCE "TOBY" SANDE, please visit our floral store.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.