Stephen Francis Sand, age 66, of Austin, Minnesota passed away at his home on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, after a brief battle with cancer.

Stephen was born Nov. 21, 1950, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Donald and Betty (Coder) Sand. He graduated from Austin High School in 1968. He then attended the University of Minnesota. After serving in the U.S. Army, Stephen returned to Austin and took courses at Austin Community College and Mankato State University. Before retiring, Stephen worked at Austin Utilities as a meter reader.

Stephen loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed writing computer algorithms with his son John and traveling to North Carolina to spend the winter months assisting his son Joseph with his pottery business.

Stephen loved the peace and serenity of his rural home, and spent many summer days in his swimming pool showing off his diving techniques to family and friends. Stephen was a quiet and gentle man who put family above all else. He never went a day without telling his wife of 39 years that he loved her. Stephen’s greatest joy and accomplishment was his role as a father.

He is survived by his wife, Rita, Austin, Minnesota; children John (Anne) Sand, Burnsville, Minnesota, and Joseph (Amanda) Sand, Randleman, North Carolina; grandchildren Laura, Owen, Jacob and Eleanor; mother Betty Sand, Austin; sister Sue (Dan) Jaeger, Austin; brothers-in-law Robert Kraft, Oronoco, Minnesota, Dr. Richard (Suzanne) Kraft, Lafayette, Colorado, Roy (Carol) Kraft, Anthem, Arizona, Ronald Kraft, Pearce, Arizona, as well as uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.

Stephen was preceded in death by his father Donald Sand. At his request, Stephen’s body was donated to the Department of Anatomy at Mayo Clinic. Memorial services are pending and will be announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested to St. Olaf Lutheran Church Building Fund, Austin Art Center, The Hormel Institute, or the donor’s choice.