Millard Sansen Obituary

Millard Duane Sansen died April 27, 2009 in Centennial, CO. He was born October 31, 1927 in Minneapolis MN. to Carl Gerhart Sansen and Vallie Erickson Sansen. In 1950 he married Mae Wolf and they lived in Fairmont MN. then moved to Salida, CO. in 1954. "Swede", as he was known by his many friends, was a cabinetmaker most of his life. In 1958 he moved his family to Colorado Springs and with his father founded Western Services, a business of building and refinishing furniture with contracts from Fort Carson, Peterson Field, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Swede regularly took his family to the mountains as camping, hunting, and fishing were his passion. He was in his own right a musician, vocalist, poet and storyteller, and the best camp cook! He was a respected member of Rocky Mountain Goats. He sang with a barbershop quartet until emphysema and a weak heart made it impossible. Swede is survived by Mae, his daughters Debra, Barbara, and Brenda, sons-in-law Oscar and Bill, his grandchildren Whitney, Travis, and Maddie. He is also survived by his wife Joann and his step-children's families in Centennial. His siblings, Roger Sansen (Shirley), Shirley Krahmer, Marlys Weinman, and Sharon Rupp (David), survive him, as well as 11 nieces and 3 nephews. At Swede's request there are no services. His wish was to have his ashes dispersed in the place that he loved so dearly, his Colorado hunting grounds of nearly 50 years.