Sanford “Sam” Harold Wenstrom, 83, Waite Park

December 4, 1931 - June 23, 2015

Sanford “Sam” Harold Wenstrom, age 83, Waite Park, MN died Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, Sartell, MN. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 30, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in North Star Cemetery, St. Cloud, MN.

Sam was born December 4, 1931 in Waite Park, MN to Harold A. and Lorenda M. (Vahl) Wenstrom. He attended school at McKinley Elementary, Sherburne County Rural District #54, Central Junior High, and graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School. Sam received a BS Degree from St. Cloud State University. He married Maxine Marie Roberts on May 12, 1961 in Monticello, MN. Sam was employed as staff announcer at KFAM Radio, news director at WJON Radio, editor of the weekly “Photo News” newspaper, assistant manager of St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, and vice president for Human Resources at the St. Cloud Hospital. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Haven Trail Blazers 4-H Club, St. Cloud Jaycees, St. Cloud Kiwanis Club, St. Cloud Board of Health, St. Cloud Charter Commission, St. Cloud HRA Board of Commissioners, the original board establishing Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, coordinated “Community 2000” strategic plan study and served as business manager for the St. Cloud Rox baseball team in the1960’s.

Sam won numerous awards as a 4-H member, was named St. Cloud’s “Outstanding Young Man of the Year”, participated in men's golf tournament at the Annandale Country Club, headed task forces to build an elevator and parking lot for his church, and was a March of Dimes volunteer.

He enjoyed tennis, golf, fishing, wood working, building, poker, pool, camping and boating. Sam loved his cabin and the people around Lake Alexander.

Survivors include daughters, Lisa Bibeaux of St. Cloud, MN; Lori (Ronald) Traut of St. Cloud, MN; Lynn (Thomas) Hansen of Avon, MN; sister, Betty Renstrom of Elbow Lake, MN; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Maxine on May 16, 2001, sister, Lorenda, brother, Roger, and son-in-law, Michael Bibeaux.

Memorials are preferred to the ALS Association.