Joseph Sande
“Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3 — is this thing on?”
Joseph “Joe” Nathan Sande, 88, of Wolf Point, Mont., signed off for the last time on Oct. 4, 2024, in Billings, surrounded by the people he loved most — his family.
Cremation has already taken place, and, in keeping with Joe’s wishes, there will be no public service. Instead, his family will gather privately later this year to celebrate a life filled with laughter, love, and a deep devotion to those closest to him.
Born on July 19, 1936, to Francis M. Sande and Mary (Gillette) Sande, Joe’s life journey took him from Havre to Great Falls and eventually to Wolf Point, where his legacy would take root. In his younger years, Joe was up early, cleaning his father’s bar before school — a bit of work that may have shaped both his work ethic and his sharp sense of humor. After being drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1955, Joe spent two years on a submarine, which may explain his lifelong ability to navigate any situation with calmness and a well-placed quip.
Returning to Montana, Joe earned a teaching degree from Northern Montana College and embarked on a career that spanned decades and touched countless lives. He met the love of his life, Gloria Nelson, in 1961 and, in true Joe fashion, they eloped in 1963 — choosing love and simplicity over fanfare. In 1964, Joe accepted what he thought would be a one-year teaching position at Wolf Point High School. That “one year” stretched into 33, during which he shaped young minds in ninth-grade English, media and writing classes, all while never missing a chance to make his students laugh.
Joe’s teaching career was only one aspect of his dedication to his family and community. His voice — legendary in Wolf Point — became synonymous with school spirit as “the Voice of the Wolves,” announcing games, matches and tournaments for over four decades. While students eagerly awaited hearing their names over the loudspeaker, Joe’s heart was always anchored in his love for his family.
He raised two daughters, Lori Jo and Natalie, alongside Gloria, and together they created a home full of warmth, laughter and encouragement. Family was the heart of everything Joe did. Whether coaching a softball game, umpiring or cheering on his daughters, Joe’s focus was always on providing the same unwavering support he had for them to the next generation.
And when his grandchildren arrived, Joe found a whole new role to relish — being their biggest fan. Whether it was football, wrestling, swimming or tennis, if one of his grandchildren was on the field or in the pool, you could count on Joe being in the stands, a proud grandpa, ready to cheer them on. His love for his family was evident in every conversation, every joke and every moment he spent with them. Even when he was busy volunteering with the Wolf Point Optimist Club, announcing the Radiothon to raise funds for Christmas gifts or judging essays for the Optimist contests, Joe’s heart was always with his family.
His marriage to Gloria, which spanned 61 years, was the foundation of his
