Jeffrey David Sandnes

He spent his early years in New York and in 1978, Jeff and his family moved to Cape Coral, Florida. He attended Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers, and in 1982, graduated from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN. Jeff graduated from The King’s College in New York with a degree in English.

Jeff served as a Youth Pastor at Maple Park Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, Washington, Word of Life Church in Marysville, Washington, and at Bethel Church in Fergus Falls, MN. Jeff later served as Campus Pastor at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Minnesota. He also enjoyed serving as a teaching pastor at the Grace Community Center in North Fort Myers, FL. Jeff loved Young Life ministries and served on their staff.

With a dream to be on the radio at just 10 years old, Jeff began his career at the age of 17 at WSOR in Fort Myers, FL. This passion led to many years of ministry on the airwaves around the country. Before Jeff and his wife, Larisa, were married in 1995, Jeff became Program Director and hosted the morning show at Power 92 in Fargo, ND. Jeff then served as Program Director and later General Manager as well as morning show host at WAY-FM radio in Ft. Myers, FL. He led the ministry at WAY-FM for 15 years. From 2013-2019, Jeff continued his radio career at KCBI as morning-show host in Dallas, Texas. In late 2019, Jeff and his family moved back to Cape Coral, FL to be near family and friends.

Jeff had a passion for people, the Gospel of Christ, and the gift of God’s grace. These three passions intertwined on a daily basis, as Jeff loved and lived to encourage people, uplift them, and remind them of God’s unwavering and unshakeable love. Jeff preached the Gospel to others because he, too, needed to be reminded daily that the Gospel was also for him. His greatest joy was bringing the message of God’s love and grace to anyone who would listen.

Jeff is survived by his wife of twenty-five years, Larisa Sandnes (Hanson), son, Tommy Sandnes, and daughter, Kate Sandnes, parents Edward and Dee Sandnes, sister, Barbara Gold, nieces, Isabella Gold and Nina Wlaschin (Nate Wlaschin), nephew, Joseph Gold (Christina Gold), in-laws Jim and Bev Hanson, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Tanya and Ed Nugent, nephews Nick Nugent (Jolie Nugent), Zachary Nugent, Jordan Nugent, niece, Grace Nugent, great-niece Natalie Wlaschin and great-nephews Kayden and Steven Gold, many aunts and uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make memorial contributions in memory of Jeff Sandnes to Hillcrest Academy, 610 Hillcrest Drive, Fergus Falls, MN 56537 or Living Faith Church, 939 SW 7th Court, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Blessed be the memory of Jeffrey David Sandnes.