Donald J. Sanda, 78, of Staples, died Aug. 29, 2010 at the Lakewood Health System Hospital, Staples.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church in Staples with Pastor Steve Sveom officiating. Visitation is Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples and one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Girard Union Cemetery, near Henning.

Arrangements are with the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Don was born June 14, 1932, in Girard Township, to Emil and Laura (Oak) Sanda. He grew up in the area on the family farm, graduating from Henning High School in 1949.

Don moved to Moorhead, to attend Concordia College, graduating in 1953. After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Okinawa, Japan. After the army, Don student taught in Melrose, while attending St. Cloud State University. In 1956, he graduated from St. Cloud State and took a job in Orono. In December of that year, he married Krista Gandrud, and they made their home in Staples, where Don started teaching English and speech in 1957. Don and Kris were married for 34 years and together they raised six children. Don retired from teaching in 1991, but continued as speech coach. He was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church and was involved with Staples Motley Dollars for Scholars. He was an amateur photographer and enjoyed reading, writing, wintering in south Texas and loved coaching his speech students.

Don is survived by one daughter, Karin (Todd) Luedke of Maple Grove; five sons, John (Marcia) of Owatonna; Steven of Ottertail; Timothy (Janet) of Apple Valley; Paul (Sonja) of Edina; David (Susan) of Edina; eight grandchildren; one sister, Ellen Jacobson of Brooklyn Center; good friend and former wife, Kris (Dick) Sanda Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Staples Motley Dollars for Scholars.