Lee Sander

John Lee Sander, age 93, of Red Wing, died Saturday, January, 18, 2025, just nine short days after his wife, Beverly passed away. He was born August 8, 1931 in Wadena, MN to Dr. Alvin Sander & Olive Sundquist Sander. The Sander family lived in Vergas, MN for a year and then moved to Detroit Lakes, MN in 1932. There Lee graduated from high school in 1949, where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball and was presented the Star of the Year award by Detroit Lakes High School. His first year of college he attended Concordia Morehead and his second year of collage he transferred to the University of Minnesota. While still in school, Lee attended the First Baptist Church on University Ave. in St. Paul. One evening he had to introduce a singer to the congregation; her name was Beverly June Biebighauser. He wasted no time and asked her out on a date. A year and half later they were married on July 23, 1955 at Memorial Lutheran Church in St. Paul. Their commitment and loyalty to each other lasted 70 years. 

In 1956, Lee graduated from medical school and received his doctorate of medicine in July of 1956. From 1957-1959 he was a physician in the US Air Force and was stationed in Bangor, Maine where their first child, Robert, was born. In 1960, the new family moved back to St. Paul where he worked at United Hospital as a general surgeon and two girls were added to the family, Merilee and Lori. In 1963, Memorial Hospital in Cambridge, MN was looking for a surgeon and Lee wanted more time in the OR so they moved again; that is where their fourth child, Keri was born. Their last move was made in 1969 to Red Wing, MN where their last child was born, Melissa. Dad set up practice with the Interstate Medical Center and work till his retirement in 2004. 

Lee was an ambitious man; he loved to play sports even in his later years. He was on the First Covenant Church softball team in the summer time and the senior men’s hockey league in the winter. Every once in a while after a long day of work, dad would try to recruit his children to go downhill skiing. He was a frugal man and was always excited when he could ski Monarch in Colorado for free because he was over 70 years old. Another hobby he had was flying small airplanes. His four children remember more than once, crawling into a small airplane with mom, baby and dog underfoot, and taking off to Detroit Lakes to visit his parents.

Lee loved the Lord and because of his faith, he was a caring and non-judgmental man. He spoke well of everyone and was willing to help those in need. He and his wife were members of the First Covenant Church of Red Wing and helped with their outreach to the community. Lee was a quiet, humble servant of the Lord whose daily events were: reading the Bible, taking a drive in the car, walking in the woods and keeping a weedy garden. John Lee Sander was a unique man who was put on this earth to help others; he will be missed greatly by his family and countless others. This verse was found circled in his Bible: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Lee is survived by his children, Merilee Sander of Northfield, Lori (Kris) Johnson of Red Wing, Keri (Glenn) Ciegler of Stillwater and Melissa (Mike) Dube of Red Wing; grandchildren, Brian (Mandy) Sander, Andrew, Jacob (Kailee Davis) and Zachary (Liza) Womeldorf, Samantha (Connor Reilly) Womeldorf, Grace and Jack Dube and Samuel Ciegler; great-grandchildren, Jase, Camden, Maclynn, Mila and Elin. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Bob Sander and his loving wife, Bev.

 A memorial service for both Lee and Bev will held on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 1:00 pm at First Covenant Church in Red Wing, with a visitation 2 hours prior. Burial at Oakwood will take place at a later date. Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.