Gerald D. Sanft

Gerald D. "Jerry" Sanft was taken home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the morning of April 4, 2026, just 4 days shy of his 90th birthday.

He is survived by his wife of over 35 years, Marilyn Rose Sanft, his daughter Julie (Jeff) Banning, son James (Janell) Sanft, daughter Kathy (Robb) Gilman, son Keith (Julie) Rose, and daughter Julie Rose (Jim Sweeney). He is also survived by grandchildren Doug (Bethany) Banning, Greg (Betsy) Banning, Brad Banning, Emily (Tony) Henely, Elizabeth (Richard) Middlebrooks, Katie (Graham) Desmond, Evan (Nicole) Sanft, Ryan (Rebecca) Sanft, Tyler (Maddie) Sanft, Cal (Darya) Gilman, Zach (Kristen) Gilman, Teddy (Shianne) Rose, Jackson Rose, and Sam Rose, along with 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Shirley Schorey and Judy (Carl) Weber, and sister-in-law Sue Sanft, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Jean Sanft, son Dan Rose, parents Harry and Gladys Sanft, brothers Robert (Audrey) Sanft and David Sanft, and brother-in-law Vic Shorey.

Jerry was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in St. Paul and was a charter member of Lutheran Church of the Risen Christ in Stillwater before joining King of Kings Lutheran Church in Roseville. He was joined in marriage to Jean Helen Kaphingst in June 1958. After her death, he married Marilyn Rose in June 1990. A lifelong outdoorsman, Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapshooting and running. He was a gifted artist, painting and drawing natural scenes and especially waterfowl, and he was an avid reader. He served in the United States Air Force as an Arctic Survival Instructor in Alaska. Most of his career was in the corrugated packing industry and he retired as a designer for Stone Container. He loved our Lord and Savior with all his heart, mind and soul. Jerry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and took great delight in all of his family.

Funeral service 11:00 AM Thursday, April 9 at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 2330 N. Dale St., Roseville with visitation from 10-11 AM. Interment Union Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials be directed to King of Kings Lutheran Church “Expanding the Kingdom” building campaign.

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