Doris Sandford

Doris K. Sandford, age 95, passed away peacefully, with family at her bedside, in the Good Samaritan Society in Lakota, North Dakota, on January 17, 2015.

Doris Katherine Ormiston was born September 22, 1919, near Fairdale, North Dakota, to George and Minnie (Thompson) Ormiston, the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Grafton High School and went on to become a registered nurse, after taking her training at the old St. Michael’s Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She was employed at the Grand Forks Clinic prior to her marriage.

Doris was united in marriage to George Sandford on October 14, 1942. They made their home on the family farm near Whitman, North Dakota, where they raised their seven children. She and George felt privileged to have a Sunday Fellowship Meeting in their home throughout their years on the farm. In the 1970’s, George and Doris became the first dealers in the area for the Vermeer Baler Company. Customers may recall that they were always invited into the house for coffee and home-made treats. George and Doris loved people and offered much hospitality. Doris was well-known for being the “community nurse”. Neighbors and friends would often seek her advice and assistance. She provided private duty home care and also worked as an RN at the Michigan Community Hospital. She volunteered for the American Cancer Society for many years. She was one of 16 women honored in the Beautiful Women of North Dakota because of her caring spirit and generosity.

Doris is survived by her seven children, Grace (Lyle) Burchill, Hope, ND, Phil (Karen) Sandford, Michigan, ND, Ruth (Ralph) Houkom, Tucson, AZ, Dean (Deborah) Sandford, Spearfish, SD, Spence (Mary Ann) Sandford, Bismarck, ND, DeLoris (Rod) Larson, Thief River Falls, MN, and LeRoy Sandford, Salina, KS. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Lloyd, Leslie, Fred, and John Ormiston; sisters, Abigal Rolfson and Florence Conroy.

Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 22, at the Aaker Funeral Home, 116 C Avenue West, Lakota, North Dakota with a Friend and Family Service beginning at 7:00 pm.

Funeral Services will be held at the Lakota Community Center on Friday, January 23, at 11:00 am. Interment will be in the Inkster Cemetery at a later date.