Floyd Gustave Sanwald, age 94 of Miles City, passed away on June 27, 2012 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care Unit in Miles City.
Floyd was born on July 29, 1917 in Princess Anne, Maryland, the son of John & Emma (Kaiser) Sanwald. Floyd attended grade school in both Pierre, SD and Miles City, MT and graduated from Custer County District High School In 1937 he worked for Nuggents as a bookkeeper untill he joined the United State Army on July 8, 1941 as part of the 412th air service group. He was the recipient of the European-African-Middle Eastern theatre service medal and five overseas service bars. Floyd’s most cherished memory of his service time was when he was reunited with his brother Walter, a paratrooper, at an airbase in England. This was just prior to D-Day when Walter was killed in service. Floyd’s group traveled on the Queen Mary and returned home on the same ship in 1945, on a choppy December ocean voyage. His primary role with the 412th air service group was as an Airplane Mechanic Instrument Repairman. Floyd and Laura Villanger were married on Columbus Day, October 12, 1940, at the First Lutheran Church in Miles City, Montana. They would have had their annual family celebration for their 72nd this fall. Floyd started his career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1946, and retired as a mail carrier on July 19, 1975. He started making daily trips to the Ziebarth farm at Kinsey to help in the fields and with harvest for many years, and chase grandkids.
Laura & Floyd loved to travel with a favorite route to daughter Marcy’s, in Walhalla, ND, where they helped with to do lists and enjoy their three grandkids. They were known to take a little side detour to and from Walhalla, to visit the Prairie Nights Casino for a little fun too. Floyd was a dedicated family man and friend to many in all walks of life. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and the family enjoyed many wonderful vacations through the years. Floyd was an active member of the First Lutheran Church, the Eagles, the Elks, and the VFW. Floyd & Laura loved to dance, listen to music; he played a mean harmonica, played cards with their lifelong friends, and still had time to tinker on his car or house.
He is survived by his wife Laura Sanwald of Miles City; his daughters: Cheryl (Bill) Ziebarth of Kinsey, MT and Marcy (John) Ostby of Calgary, AB; a brother John Sanwald of Port Angeles, WA; his grandchildren: Nikki (David) Irvin of Shelby, MT and their children: Jordyn, Marcus, Damon; Tammy (Brian) Dennis of Laurel, MT and their children: Rylee Jo, Cody & Christopher; Scott (Arnica) Ziebarth of Kinsey, MT and their children: Zaylee, Izak & Kyzer; Chad (Karissa) Benoit of Denver, CO and their son Van; Amanda (Dean) Novasad of Minot, ND and their children Ashtyn and Devyn; Jennifer (Lance) Lemons of Minot, ND and their son Jayce; Justine Ostby & Jeremy Ostby of ND; Floyd was preceded in death by his parents John & Emma Sanwald, a brother Walter Sanwald, a half-brother Robert Sanwald, his mother and father in-laws Lars & Jenny Villanger, a sister in-law Bernice Waggener, a brother in-law Willard Waggener and a nephew Bruce Waggener.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2012 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral service will be held on Friday, July 6, 2012 at 11:00 p.m. at the Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Holy Rosary Extended Care new van fund, or to the First Lutheran Radio Broadcast fund. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Carol Bean says
Sorry to hear about Floyd. Prayers for comfort for your family.
Shannon Holmen RN says
So sorry to hear of Floyd. I’m sorry I didnt get to really know him well. My prayers…
Darla Wier says
Sanwald family,
You are in our thoughts
Wier family
Reg, Kally and Joseph says
Laura and Cheryl and family, we are sorry to hear about Floyd. He was a dearly loved dad, grandpa and great-grandpa. We will be keeping you all in our thoughts.
Bruce Wilson says
Floyd was a good man who always took good care of his family. Only time I saw him snap at Cheryl was when they were having a “discussion” on what car to buy back in 1965. Cherly won, I hear the old Ford is still around somewhere.
We are with you all in spirit.
God Bless,
Bruce & Patty Wilson
Butch and Cathe Smith says
May your warm memories and good times be a source of comfort to you and your family during this difficult time. In deepest sympathy……..Butch and Cathe
Virginia & Duane Strohmayer says
Thinking of you with sympathy and friendship
Delmar Gran says
My condolences to Laura, Cheryl and the Sanwald family. I am the son of Lawrence and Olive Gran and I remember your family as friends of Ed and Gladys and, as I recall, your family came to Scotland, SD with Ed and Gladys back in the 1960’s.
I have been communicating with Janis Ferrell and she sent me and email today with the sad news. My mother passed in May 2011 and I know that regardless of the length of life, we always miss our lowed ones that have contributed so much to our own life.
Your family will be in my prayers.
Del Gran
Roswell, GA
Jack and Clare Doran says
Dear Cheryl and Bill,
You have our sympathy at the death of your father.
Sincerely,
Jack and Clare
Jerry & Tiffany Nesbit says
Laura & Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We pray that God will guide you through the memorable times.
Jerry & Tiffany Nesbit
Eileen and Vern Entzel says
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary Schmidt Kincaid says
My condolences on the passing of your dad. I remember him as a quiet gentle man. Greetings to your mother – may your hearts be filled with memories.
Mike & Drena Nitschke says
How sad to have to say goodbye to another member of that greatest generation of our parents. Reading Floyd’s eulogy was an inspiration.
94 years is a long life that should be celebrated – think of someone living from the time of Custer’s last stand until man’s walking on the moon. 94 years covers that span of time with some left over.
Drena and I are sorry for your loss, but at the same time stand in admiration for the long and exemplary life Floyd led.