Merlen "Duff" Ralph Sandness

Merlen R. "Duff" Sandness, 77, of Prague, Oklahoma, passed away on April 21, 2022. Duff was born in Sioux City, Iowa on November 9, 1944 to Ralph and Luella (Smith) Sandness. As a young boy, he grew up in Illinois and graduated from Octavia High School, Colfax, Illinois. On January 14, 1968, he married Laura Myers in Colfax, Illinois. Following their marriage, they moved to Pittsburg, Kansas, where Duff attended Pittsburg State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Science in Administration. He was an industrial arts teacher at Northeast High School, Arma, Kansas and a vocational education teacher at Girard, Kansas, where he took the opening and closing ceremony team of VICA to nationals the years of 1975 and 1976. He was high school principal, superintendent and grade school principal at Utica, Kansas. He ended his educational career at Pleasanton, Kansas as high school principal. After his educational career, he was a livestock farmer. He loved his animals, especially his Border Collies. Duff was also a proud member of the Prague First Assembly of God Church. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Laura Sandness, of the home; two sons, Marc Sandness and his wife, Pam of Prague and Rick Sandness and his wife, Beth of Prescott, Kansas; one brother, Wes Sandness, of Pittsburg, Kansas and two sisters, Doris McIntire of Erie, Kansas and Jan Poort and her husband, Brian, of Topeka, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Trey Sandness and his wife, Allie, of Utah, Wyatt Sandness and his wife, Meredith, of Kansas, Alexis Jameson and her husband, Hunter, of California, Josh Sandness and his fiance, Emma, of Kansas, Josh Kidder, Caleb Kidder and Khristina Kidder, Joe Kidder and Karma Mashek, of Oklahoma and two great-grandchildren, Madi Sue and Gavin of Utah. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Duff will be greatly missed by all of those who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Raymond Sandness and Leonard Sandness. In lieu of flowers, Duff's family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the missions account of the church, PO Box 646, Prague, OK 74864. A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 PM on May 10, 2022 at the Prague First Assembly of God Church, with Rev. Kevin Wehrli officiating. A private family burial will take place at a later date.