Service Information
Timothy “Tim” J. Sanken Sr., age 76, husband of Cheryl, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023, at his home in Hutchinson.
Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota, at a later date.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Friday, August 4, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 P.M., at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, and will continue from 9:30-11:00 A.M., 1 ½ hours prior to the service, ALL at the church.
Memorials preferred to the For Hearts and Souls Organization. This was an organization Tim has worked with since 2004, traveling to Mongolia and most recently, Kurdistan. All donations received will be dedicated to the Kurdistan mission in Tim's honor. To donate please visit https://forheartsandsouls.org/contact/
Service will be livestreamed via https://ctkhutch.com/live
Obituary
Timothy John Sanken Sr. (Tim) was born on April 17,1947, in Glencoe, Minnesota, to Harold and Lorraine Sanken. He was baptized on April 30, 1947, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton, Minnesota, by Rev. Gerhard Schmidt and later confirmed his faith in Christ as a youth at Main Street (Faith) Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota, by Rev. J. E. Anderson.
Tim graduated from Brownton High School in 1965. He later earned his Bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and his Master in Military Arts & Science degree in 1987 from the US Army University’s Command and General Staff College.
In January 1966, Tim began his military service by joining the Minnesota Army National Guard. In 1972 he attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Ft. Benning, Georgia and was commissioned as 2LT. Tim was honored to serve in various leadership roles through his military career including at Company, Battalion, and Regiment levels. His leadership culminated in his induction into the OCS Hall of Fame in Ft. Moore, Georgia. Tim retired as a Colonel from the Minnesota Army National Guard in April 2001.
In January 1969, he began working at 3M in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He subsequently worked at 3M Corporate Headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, returned to Hutchinson, and retired from 3M in New Ulm, Minnesota, in 2005 as a Supply Chain Manager.
On July 11, 1970, Tim and Cheryl Jensen were united in marriage at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson by Rev. David Natwick. They resided in rural Brownton until moving to Hutchinson in 2005. Their family was blessed with four children, Tim Jr., Andrew, Jacob, and Melissa.
Tim led an active retirement. In addition to being an active member and leader of his church and community, he was employed as a Funeral Assistant, hospice volunteer, and delivered for Meals on Wheels. Never one to sit still, Tim was also a volunteer courier for “Be the Match”, delivering bone marrow and stem cells worldwide for human transplant for almost 9 years.
In 2004, Tim became a volunteer with “For Hearts and Souls”, a non-denominational Christian organization of doctors and other health care professionals who travel to developing countries to screen children for congenital heart defects and facilitate surgical repairs where possible, while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He traveled to Mongolia 10 times and Kurdistan 14 times on these missions, developing many cherished and lasting friendships.
Tim was thankful for recognition he received at 3M, in the Military, for his volunteerism, and by the Hutchinson Jaycees for naming him Mr. Hutchinson 2021.
Tim was preceded in death by his son Andrew Sanken, parents Lorraine (Zimmerman) and Harold Sanken. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Cheryl R. Sanken and their children, Tim Jr. and his wife Sara, Jacob Sanken and his wife Melissa, and Melissa Sanken and her friend Nathan. He is also survived by grandchildren Parker and his wife Jessica, Carter, Alexis, Isabelle, Ashley, Emily, and Travis; Siblings Adah (Jim) Loscheider, Christine Sanken, Mark (Cheryl) Sanken, Joy (Pete) Larson, and John (Kathy) Sanken.
Bob and Dawn says
Tim was one of the true gentlemen and will be greatly missed. Our sympathy to his entire family! He’s resting in Jesus’s arms now.
Darla n Rick Harrier says
So sorry for you loss Cheryl! We were surprised that Tim had passed away . . .
Jill Mackenthun says
I’m so sorry that Tim lost his battle here on earth… but he gained victory in Heaven with Jesus. May our Lord wrap His arms around your Family during your time of loss.
Lyle Bonderson says
I am so sorry to the Sanken family for your loss. Tim was a true profesional and it was an honor to work with him at 3M.
Ann Nemec Olson says
So sorry Cheryl for your loss. Thinking if you and the family. Big hugs to you
Kevin Larson says
Tim was my greatest mentor in the National Guard. I had the honor of serving with him for many years. We will all miss this great man.
Jim Alsleben says
Rest In Peace, Tim
Jim Alsleben
Dean Jacobsen says
I feel honored to have called Tim a friend! He was an example to all whom he encountered. He will be missed.
Bobbi Ludewig says
Cheryl and family so sorry for your loss. Tim was a wonderful man. Hugs and Prayers. Know that he will always be with you! Bobbi Ludewig
Lawrence Crose says
Tim was like a brother to me. I was company commander in Hutchinson and talked him into going to OCS. Little did I know that he’d become such a wonderful and fine officer and a dear dear friend. We’ll all miss him Cheryl, but know that Heaven will enjoy one of the finest Christians that ever lived on this earth!
karen and harold says
Our sympathies to your family ….always a smile when you met him
Randy and Henrietta Hagen says
Our deepest sympathy to Cheryl and the Sanken family. When God created kindness, I assume he used Tim as a model. Tim helped so many and made a difference on eart. I will miss him but know he is making a difference in heaven now and helping others. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Heather Finnell says
Words cannot explain how much you mean to me and to this community. You have impacted so many people far and wide and I know you will continue to this in Heaven! I am sooo blessed and absolutely honored that I had the privilege to work with you at the funeral home for several years. I will never forget that smile that LIT up the room! Sending my deepest sympathy and prayers to Cheryl and the Sanken family!
Deanna Paa says
Dear Cheryl and family. I was very sad to hear of Tim’s passing. Tim was my manager at 3M.
He was an awesome guy to work with. He was fair and always the consummate gentleman.
Condolences and prayers to you all.
Cheryl Buboltz says
Tim’s family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Tim. I worked with Tim at 3M and interacted with him a few times after we both retired. He was a very caring, kind, and respectful man to everyone. He will be greatly missed. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Grace and Gene Chrast says
Cheryl and family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Tim is now at rest with no pain or worries at all.
DeEtta nelson says
A peaceful gentleman now at rest in peace.
Gwen Dahl says
Dear Cheryl and family, our sincere prayers are with you all! His kindness touched everyone he met and that was an encouragement for us to do the same! Share your many memories with family and friends and know you are all loved by us and Jesus! Tom and Gwen Dahl
Fern & Gary Hoff says
Cheryl and Family,
Please accept my sympathy at the passing of Tim. May God comfort you with his assurance of eternal life for Tim.
Judy Neufeld says
Cheryl and Family,
Our condolences to all of Tim’s loved ones. He was a lovely man and will be missed by many people.
Judy & Chuck Neufeld
Doris Schmidt (Ralph) says
So sorry for your loss Cheryl. A lot of memories out there….
Ted Fox says
Sorry for your loss..Tim was a grand gentleman.
Bonnie Michelau says
So sorry for your loss. I met him once and he was a very nice man. Cheryl so sorry for your loss
Joanne (Eisenbraun)Murphy says
My deepest sympathy to you Cheryl and your family. May the memories of many years be held in your hearts. Prayers sent to you all.
Charles Forss says
Tim was a great man….I spent time with him in the National Guard and other encounters. (Hawaii)..with family….The community recognized him as the leader he was by naming him “Mr. Hutchinson…looking closer..he was bringing Hope to children in the several countries as Mr balloon man….His FaceBook posts were truly moving.
He will be missed. Thanks Tim..
John Dietel says
I will miss Tim. He was always a gracious and kind man that I looked up to.
Tony Wolf says
Amazing example of love your neighbor as yourself. Jacob your dad did many things for many people a great servant. You should be very proud buddy. Sorry for your loss. God bless. Tony & Andrea Wolf
Nancy and Doug Weiss says
Our sympathies to the Sanken family. I worked @ 3M where I had the privilege of knowing Tim following the major changes @ 3M in 1996. Tim was terrific to work with, always a smile on his face, and like was said earlier, a true gentleman. We have now lived in retirement in River Falls, WI, but will always remember Tim when I think of Hutchinson. Rest in Peace!
Ron Miller, Post Chaplain says
On behalf of the Forest Lake American Legion Post 225, we give thanks for Tim’s military service to our country in the Army and to veterans as a Legion member. I first met Tim when we served together in the 47th Infantry Division. We had a mutual respect for each other and enjoyed our time together. I was also in charge of aviation during the Guatemala Task Force in 1995 and I think he came down for two weeks.
Sanken family, he was a great man, a loss to us here, but I plan to see him in heaven when I join him there.