Gordon Sandbakken

Gordon J. Sandbakken, age 81, resident of Lakota, ND, died Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND.

Gordon Julius Sandbakken was born December 31, 1931 on his parent's farm near Brocket, ND. He is the son of Julius and Evelyn (Johnson) Sandbakken. Gordon was raised in the Brocket area and attended school there. He joined the U.S. Air Force and served 4 years in medical records. He was stationed at Chamonix , France during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he moved to California where he worked several years for Cignal Oil Company. He returned to North Dakota in the early 1960's. Gordon married Elsie Trenda on July 15, 1964 at Bemidji, MN. They lived in Devils Lake for a short time and he worked at Lyon Auto Parts. They moved to Lakota in 1965 when they purchased and began operating Cities Service. Over the years they operated under various franchise and name changes, including Citgo, Gulf, G & E Service, and Exxon. They ceased operation of the business in 1978. Gordon then worked for 2 years in the CETA Program, which constructed several buildings at Stump Lake Park. Following this period of his life, Gordon began working for area farmers. He worked with Kenny & Steve Hensey, Warren Westensee, and Bob & Warren Ferguson until his retirement. Gordon enjoyed the outdoors. His hobbies include photography, hunting, and fishing. He loved tinkering with, and fixing things. He also became a self taught gunsmith.

Gordon's family includes his wife, Elsie Sandbakken of Lakota, ND; a daughter, Valerie & her husband Lance Miller of Grand Forks, ND; a son, John & his wife Lori Sandbakken of Bismarck, ND; 3 granddaughters, Alicia, Alaina, and Kasey; a sister, Judy & her husband Roger Hatten of Devils Lake, ND; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Sandbakken of Cando, ND; brother-in-law, Donald Hodek of Brocket, ND; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth Sandbakken; and sister-in-law, Blanche Hodek.