Richard Lee Sanford, 81, of Wever, IA, passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 2:10 AM at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.
He was born on May 12, 1944 in Ft. Madison to Ralph and Frances Burwinkel Sanford. On August 18, 1973 Dick married Jane Klesener in St. Paul. Dick was a member of Holy Family Parish and served in the US Army during the Vietnam Era and recently received the Quilt of Valor. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved spending time at his cabin on the Skunk River. Dick loved to go fishing, deer hunting with his bow and arrow and mushroom hunting.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Sanford of Wever; two daughters, Cindy Sanford of Henderson, NV and Jenny (David) Castán of Ft. Madison; two grandsons, David A. and Niklas Castán; two sisters, Judy (Steve) Feehan of Salem and Linda Pollmeier of Ft. Madison; nieces and nephews; sisters in law, Dolores Riepe of Cedar Rapids, Barbara Klesener of Ft. Madison; brother in law, Tom (Sandra) Klesener of West Point. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ron (Ann) Sanford; brothers in law, W.J. Riepe, Charles Klesener, Dennis Klesener and Dale Pollmeier; sister-in-law Roberta Klesener SSSF; nephew Randy and nieces, Patty and Julia.
A wake service will be held at 4:00 PM prior to the visitation on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory where the family will meet with friends following the wake service until 6 PM. The funeral mass will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Gary Beckman officiating. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery with military rites provided by the Army Honor Guard. Cremation has been entrusted to King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Iowa 2x4’s for Hope and online condolences may be left at www.kinglynk.com.
