Gustave Axel Sandstrom

Gustave (Gus) Axel Sandstrom

October 31, 1934 - July 27, 2024

Gus Sandstrom, age 89, passed away July 27, 2024, just 3 months shy of his 90th birthday. We rejoice that he is perfectly healed and enjoying being reunited with his parents, Carl Martin Sandstrom and Lorene Hopkins Sandstrom, his brother, Thaddeus (Thad) Martin Sandstrom, and his beloved Lois Edwards McMillan. Gus is survived by his 3 children; Mark (Connie) Sandstrom, Stephanie (Richard) Smith, Scott (Lisa) Sandstrom, and his grandchildren; Austin Smith, Evan Smith and Ethan Sandstrom.

Gus was born in Kansas City, Kansas where he attended the historic Wyandotte High School. After high school, in 1953, he attended Washburn University where he majored in Pre-Law and minored in History and Political Science. Gus has continued to be a faithful member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the Washburn University Alumni Association.

In 1957, Gus joined the Kansas Army National Guard where he served for 6 years. He was a senior rifleman and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Gus began his career in the automotive industry as District Manager with General Motors and later, American Motors from 1956-1972. Over the years, he covered the territories of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. He was particularly proud that while working with AMC Jeep, he won 8th place nationally in 1969, and 2nd place nationally in 1972. Gus was an active member of his community as a Cubmaster, the Chairman and Vice President of the Optimist Club, and a Harris County Republican Precinct Chairman and Delegate.

From 1973-1996, Gus made a career change and worked with solid, environmental, bio-medical, and hazardous waste industries as a distributor, sales administrator, contractor and consultant. He secured large bids nationally for school districts, cities and airports. For a period of time, he lived in Kentucky and was awarded the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

Retirement brought 3 new blessings with the birth of Gus's 3 grandsons, Austin & Evan Smith and Ethan Sandstrom. He was thrilled there was another Sandstrom to carry on the family name. In 1999, he met the love of his life, Lois Caroline Edwards McMillan. Gus always said that she allowed him to shine. Together, they moved to Wills Point, TX where Lois could be closer to help her aging parents. Sadly, Lois passed away August 2006, a loss that Gus struggled to bear. Later that same year, he left Wills Point, TX and came to live with his daughter, Stephanie, and her family in Spring, TX for 13 years. After his stroke, he was a resident of Cypress Pointe Health and Wellness for 4 1/2 years.

Gus was proud of his Swedish ancestry and their many historical contributions to the landscape of Kansas. He loved the prairies, the sunflowers and golden wheat that graced the fields. He was proud his Swedish ancestors developed and named the town of Enterprise, Kansas. Gus loved helping his Uncle Axel work the wheat fields in Enterprise where the homestead, built in 1876, was made of solid stone, hand-hewn by Swedes and still stands strong today. His love of history, geography and Kansas kept him involved as a long-time member of the Kansas State Historical Society. He would often correspond with them over historical questions written in his impeccable draftsman style handwriting. Gus was also proud of his American Heritage and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He would often tear up when we sang patriotic songs together.

Gus had a beautiful and rich tenor singing voice. He was known for making up funny little ditties and singing them on repeat. Gus never met a stranger. He always found a connection, a common ground with people through his in-depth knowledge about Kansas and world geography. He was a kind gentleman, a gentle soul, diplomatic, always grateful and so willing to extend a helping hand. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held October 25, 2024 at 11AM with a luncheon to follow at Northwoods Presbyterian Church, 3320 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, Texas 77068. For those who cannot attend, there will be a Facebook live link below which can also be viewed at a later date.

A graveside service will be held October 30, 2024 at 11AM at Memorial Sunset Gardens, 3223 N. 18th St. Kansas City, Kansas 66104.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Thad Sandstrom Memorial Fund. You may call The Washburn University Foundation at 785-670-4483 or write a check to The Washburn University Foundation. In the memo, notate Thad Sandstrom Memorial Fund. Mail to The Washburn University Foundation, 1729 S.W. MacVicar Ave. Topeka, KS 66604.

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