Lloyd Sachs

Lloyd William Frank Sachs September 25, 1928 – November 7, 2022

Lloyd was born on September 25, 1928 in Inver Grove, MN to descendents of Dakota County pioneers Albert and Helen (Bester) Sachs who preceded him in death. He had one sister, Donna Mae who was called home in 1944. He was baptized on October 14, 1928 and confirmed on May 10, 1942 at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church in Eagan, MN where he remained an active member and served as a Trustee for a majority of his lifetime.

Lloyd grew up and worked on the family farmstead, which still remains today, on South Robert Trail in Inver Grove Heights. He later worked in construction before meeting LaDonna (Erickson) during a circle two step at Schlief’s Little City on Highway 55 in Inver Grove Heights, MN which is now the location of a Target store. They were married on January 31, 1953 and shortly after the birth of their first daughter, Joyce, Lloyd was drafted into the Army serving in Germany as a Cook/Baker Specialist June 1954-June 1956. As untimely this experience was for a young husband, father, and only son, he was grateful for the opportunities that were afforded him by serving his country. It was during this time that he completed his High School education and received his diploma in April 1956. This set him up with the opportunity to continue his education and training through the VA programs when he was discharged and attended the Labor & Industry Apprenticeship course to receive his qualifications as a journeyman tool and die maker. He worked at several different shops over the years and developed numerous lifetime friendships. This was a career that provided well for him and his family throughout the years and into retirement.

He and LaDonna were blessed with a second daughter, Valerie, in 1958 and in 1960 broke ground for their new home to be located on a parcel of the original farmstead in Inver Grove Heights. Sadly, that house was recently taken down for the expansion of County Road 26. Son David was born in 1962. During those years of raising their family together, they enjoyed many camping trips and vacations, a Couples’ Card Club and hosting an annual Halloween costume party. Lloyd was also an avid bowler and loved fishing. Raising coonhounds and hunting also became a favorite pastime highlighted with his annual barbeque. Many good times and memories of fishing and tubing at Lee & Marilyn’s on Clearwater Lake in Annandale and a few cruises were captured before LaDonna’s death on September 24, 1986.

On January 6, 1990 Lloyd married Violet (Stensgard) at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Inver Grove Heights where he became an active member. Together in retirement they enjoyed many wonderful travels to Florida, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Colorado, New York and Niagara Falls and many other places before making the decision to head south to winter in Donna, Texas. They both worked and volunteered for DARTS, enjoyed Kampers Klub and Inver Grove Heights Seniors, where Lloyd served as President. He participated in a Senior Bowling League as well as pitched and won several awards while competing in a horseshoe league. He always enjoyed gardening, feeding the birds and watching the antics of all the squirrels right out his front door. Lloyd’s interest in woodworking really peaked in retirement and remained a passion and activity until his death. His years as a tool and die maker had honed his skills for accuracy and detail, as his expert craftmanship found in crosses, Celtic spoons, old shoes or boots, or a hummingbird has been appreciated by many over the years. He was very proud of his carving of Christ with outstretched arms that traveled to South America to serve as an altar centerpiece at a mission church there.

Following the death of Violet in October 2016, Lloyd started thinking about moving from his home of nearly 60 years. The wait lists were long but the process of downsizing also took time. Lloyd moved from his Inver Grove home to Croixdale retirement community in Bayport, MN in January 2019. He thrived in his new home as we converted his laundry room into his woodshop so he could continue to carve. He was active in recruiting two of his dear pastor friends to assist with Sunday afternoon services as he served as the head usher. It was even difficult for family to schedule times to visit with his busy schedule of Bingo, Hand & Foot, Pinochle, 500, Mexican Train, and Dominos! He will be dearly missed by his many friends there. In recent months, Lloyd found peace and comfort reinstating his membership and rejoined the church family at Trinity Lone Oak, and we are grateful for the love and support extended to him during his last months of life.

Lloyd is survived by his and LaDonna’s children Joyce , Valerie, and David along with their spouses, 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and Violet’s children Ray, Darla, Roxy, and Randy along with their spouses, 7 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Gerald, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also survived by cherished neighbors Chris and Linda, his woodcarving pals, and special friends and neighbors he shared his final 4 years of life with at Croixdale, and other loving relatives and friends.