Ralph F. “Sandy” Sandersfeld, age 80, died Friday, April 28, 2006 at his home following a brief illness. Funeral Services: 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 3, 2006 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo with Rev. Douglas Morton officiating. Burial will be in the Marengo Cemetery with military honors. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Donna Koch and husband Ed of Boise, ID; a son, Tom R. Sandersfeld and wife Sheryl of Marengo; and 3 grandchildren, Dennis Koch and Kathleen Koch, both of Boise, ID., and Susan Turnbull of Marengo. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Raymond and two sisters, Agnes Wagner and Regina Jacobs.

Ralph Frederick Sandersfeld was born June 1, 1925 in rural South Amana, the son of Otto A. and Mathilda E. Mielke Sandersfeld. He received his education in the Trinity Lutheran School and Hilton High School in Conroy, graduating in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army where he trained as a combat engineer and worked with Army Intelligence, stationed at Vint Hill Farms, Virginia. Ralph married Barbara Wyant on January 29, 1947 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Conroy. He worked for Eastern Iowa Artificial Cattle Breeders Association for three years while living in Readlyn, Iowa. He had a cow/calf herd and feeder cattle farming operation in Hilton Township. Ralph worked as a Federal Crop Insurance agent/adjuster. He also established Sandersfeld Iowa Realty and Sandersfeld Insurance Agency in 1970 and restored/remodeled many homes and commercial buildings in Marengo and Iowa County. Ralph was a 50 + year member of Marengo American Legion Post #76. He was an advocate for wildlife habitat and conservation. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and other outdoor activities. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.