Joe Fred Sandstrom, son of Fred & Blanche (Wagner) Sandstrom, was born March 8, 1922 in Ash Valley, Kansas and passed away July 6, 2013 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the age of 91.

Early in life Joe's parents always took him to Sunday school and church where he was later baptized as a child of God.

As a young man he was drafted into the United States Army and stationed in Panama during World War II. He served only a short term and was honorably discharged after his father became seriously ill. Joe came back home to take over the farming and to help with his Dad's mechanic business.

He later met and married Viola Ernsting on September 9, 1945 in Albert, Kansas. The couple was blessed with one daughter, Joyce Elaine.

They spent 62 years on his parents' family farm, never once thinking of moving until 2007 when they made plans to move to Phillipsburg to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law. They first resided at Westview Homes and then moved into the new Prairie Wind Villa Assisted Living complex when it was completed several months later.

Joe's life was centered around his church and church activities. He also enjoyed welding, working in his shop making articles out of wood and metal, maintaining and driving his new vehicles, and spending time with his family. With a sense of humor he enjoyed reading and collecting cartoons from magazines. He also had a love for gospel and polka music and had a large collection of records and albums which he played on an old-fashioned record player.

Joe was a quiet, humble man whose character was founded on the special qualities of honesty and integrity. He believed in the philosophy of "doing a job right or not doing it at all". Friends and family will remember him as a man who was always willing to help others and who based his decisions on pleasing God.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Dorothy Alice.

Survivors include his wife, Viola, of Phillipsburg; his daughter, Joyce White & husband, John, of Stuttgart, KS; a grandson, Verlyn White & wife, Emily, of Creston, NE; a granddaughter, Darla Abbott & husband, Kenton, of Great Bend, KS; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 11, at 11:00 a.m. in the Assembly of God Church, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Dave Pugh officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 – 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Orphan Grain Train, Assembly of God Church, or Hospice Services.