Thomas Bratberg Sand, 85, of Spicer, died Friday, September 19 at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. His funeral service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, September 27 at First Covenant Church in Willmar. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Friday at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and continue one hour prior to his service at the church. Burial will be at Long Lake Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Mission Aviation Fellowship and Compassion International. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Homes in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Thomas Sand was born on January 24, 1940, to Thomas and Alma (Bratberg) Sand in Butte, Montana. He spent his early childhood in Montana until age five, when his parents returned to Spicer to take over the family farm. Tom attended country school in Spicer and later graduated from Willmar High School in 1958.

After graduation, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he proudly served four years as an aviation electrician aboard the USS Constellation in the Caribbean. Following his service, he returned to Spicer.

On April 30, 1965, Tom was united in marriage to Janice Swenson at Grace Lutheran Church in Lake Lillian. Together they made their home in Spicer and were blessed with four children. Tom worked for Willmar Electric until 1976, when he established his own business, Sand Electric.

A longtime member of First Covenant Church in Willmar, Tom was a man of strong faith who read his Bible daily. He was also an avid pilot and a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Flying was his passion, and he loved giving others the joy of experiencing their very first airplane ride. He earned his pilot’s license through the GI Bill and spent many happy years in the air logging over 5,000 hours. In addition, Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing with family and friends, and planning family vacations.

Tom is survived by his children and grandchildren: Amy (Scott) Hisken and their children Ben, Will, and Abby; Sara (Chris) Brouwer and their children Nathan, Jacob, Joseph, Timothy, and Jack; and Karl (Sara) Sand and their children Alex and Belle.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jan; his son, Ryan; and his parents, Thomas and Alma.