Floyd Sandell

Floyd M. Sandell

Floyd M. Sandell, age 91, of Bellingham, passed away Jan. 29, 2010.
  He was born on Nov. 29, 1918, in Burlington to Alex and Betty Sandell. He married Verna Pettett in Mount Vernon on Aug. 18, 1941. Floyd graduated from Mount Vernon High School and Washington State College in vocational agriculture and later earned a master’s degree. Floyd taught for 44 years, including 27 years at Bellingham High School. He also bred, raised and milked registered Guernseys from 1947 to 1977, was an advisor to Whatcom County FFA and was voted into the Washington State Dairy Hall of Fame. Floyd was the first tenured teacher at Whatcom Community College and in 1970 he designed and initiated the Farm Management Program. When a “Hall of Distinction” was established for WCC in 2006, Floyd was honored as one of the first inductees. He was a great role model and was loved and admired by his students, friends and family. He was a faithful and devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
  Floyd was preceded in death by his parents; brother Wesley Sandell; and sister Opal Hoback.
  He is survived by his loving wife, Verna, of 68 years; daughter Linda and husband Phil Thorsteinson of Marysville; son Deane and wife Susan Sandell of Bellingham; former son-in-law Don Martinson; grandchildren Tyler and wife Heather Sandell of Seattle, Wendy and husband Jonathan Cogan of Portland, Kyle Martinson of Bellingham; great-grandchildren Kaleb Martinson, Katie and Maya Cogan and Annika and Clara Sandell; sisters-in-law Gloria Knudsen and Donna Rose; brother-in-law Dale Pettett; and numerous nieces and nephews.
  Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Lighthouse Mission.
  A celebration of Floyd’s life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 1 p.m. followed by a reception.
  You may view photos of Floyd’s life and share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.
  Arrangements are by Westford Family Funeral Home & Cremation Broadway at Eldridge.