Glenn Sanner, 97

Glenn Sanner, 97, a lifelong Lancaster, Minnesota, resident, passed away at Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center in Hallock, Minnesota, on Thursday, December 21, 2023.

Glenn Maurice Sanner was born at home on June 2, 1926, in Lancaster, Minnesota, to Oscar and Clara (Hermanson) Sanner. Glenn was the fifth of ten children. He was baptized and confirmed in Sion Lutheran Church. Glenn attended school in Lancaster and graduated in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during WWII. He spent time in Okinawa on the USS Colbert and USS Sarita. He returned to Lancaster and he and his brother, Floyd, purchased Sanner’s Store. One day the new 2nd grade teacher came in for orange juice and toilet paper and the rest is history. Grandpa knew Grandma was the one the minute he saw her and didn’t want to waste any time. He laid eyes on his future bride in September, their first date was in December, and he popped the question the following March. They were married on Tuesday, June 30th, 1953, at 8:30 p.m. in Williams, Minnesota.

Glenn and Harriet settled in Lancaster, where they raised 4 children, Lynn, Gary, Shelly, and Jennifer. Glenn was very active in the community and served in the Businessmen’s Association, Charter Member of the Lions Club, a 75-year member of the American Legion, volunteered on the fire department, including serving as Fire Chief, served on the church council and was president of Riverview Memorial Garden Cemetery Board and served as the sexton as well. Glenn and Floyd operated the grocery store until 1986 when they retired. They made a lot of Sanner’s Potato Sausage in those 36 years. They also owned the laundromat and Button Button. Glenn loved Lancaster and was quick to wash dishes after a meal at quilting. He always had time for a game of cards and a cup of coffee. As a true Norwegian, he passed on his love for potato dumplings to the whole family.

Missing the twinkle in his eyes and his genuine kindness are his children, Lynn (Bill) Moore, Hallock, MN, Shelly (Owen) Westerberg, Lake Bronson, MN and Jennifer (Dave) Roesler, Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Ingrid (David) Kemp, Courtney (Alicia) Moore, Ashley (Shardul) Srivastava, Alex (Kelsey) Moore, Vada (Zach) Gatheridge, Macy (Tyler) Cosley, Judah Westerberg, Chad (Heather) Roesler and Jenna (Jake) Slavik; great grandchildren, Jack, Svea, Deacon, Neve, Tate, Rishi, Riya, Kaydence, Myles, Posy, Hoyt, Blake, and Autumn; sister, Carol Turner, Williamsburg, VA; sisters-in-law, Jan Sanner, Wayzata, MN, Marilyn (Gene) Bitzer, Warroad, MN, Lois Wilmer, Fergus Falls, MN, Sunny Wilmer, Warroad, MN, and Margaret Wilmer, Roosevelt, MN; brother-in-law Dennis Keil, Roseville, MN and Harvey (Eileen) Wilmer, Warroad, MN; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Waiting for him in heaven were his parents; his precious wife of 68 years, Harriet, and son, Gary; an infant granddaughter; five brothers, Clayton, Floyd, Lowell, Allen and Royce; three sisters, Doris Baker, Eunice Yakes, and Muriel Keil; sisters-in-law, Lois Sanner, Peggy Sanner (Floyd’s wife), Delores Sanner, Peggy Sanner (Lowell’s wife), Elaine Wilmer, and Verna Menke; and brothers-in-law, Don Yakes, Merle Baker, Jim Turner, Lloyd Wilmer, Dale Wilmer, Dennis Wilmer, and Jim Menke.

Funeral services for Glenn will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in Sion Lutheran Church, Lancaster. Interment will be in Riverview Memorial Garden Cemetery, Lancaster. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Pastor Kathy Levenhagen, presiding; Dianne Rice, organist. Special music; Neve and Tate Moore. Casket bearers will be Glenn’s grandchildren. Military honors will be accorded by the Lancaster American Legion.

Austin Funeral Chapel