Grantham, NH - Rev. Lloyd Sanborn "Sandy" Van Norden, 84, went to be with his Lord in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 6, 2024. He was born April 20, 1939 in Hanover, New Hampshire, the first child of Clark and Maud (Sanborn) Van Norden.

As a child, Sandy lived in Massachusetts and Vermont, graduating from Thetford Academy in 1957. He enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation, where he served for four years before attending college. He earned degrees from The University of Vermont, McGill University, and finally his doctorate degree in Divinity from New York Theological Seminary. Throughout his life he continued to serve proudly as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1991. He was president of the Rotary Club in three divisions.

In 1977, on a blind date, Sandy met Loretta Miller Brent. The two quickly fell in love and were married on June 25, 1978 in Brooklyn, New York. Sandy began his ministry at the Three Steeples United Methodist Church in Champlain, New York. Throughout the years he served at several churches in New England and New York, retiring from the ministry in 2002. He had the joy of being a co-pastor with his wife Lory at White River Junction United Methodist Church as his last appointment.

Sandy loved music, learning to play the guitar in his later years. He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, serenading us with hymns, yodeling, and his special birthday song. He was an excellent baker who loved to make spice cake with boiled icing, strawberry rhubarb pies, and his famous "Pastor Cookies." He loved to collect blue glass, books, and pictures of his travels with his wife and grandchildren. Anyone who met Sandy would notice his signature style with a cowboy hat and boots. He was an avid animal lover, especially enjoying spending time with his dogs. In his role as "Pappa," he loved a corny joke and a silly limerick.

He is predeceased by his parents, Clark and Maud Van Norden, son Paul Brent, and niece April Le Van Norden.

Sandy leaves behind his beloved wife of 45 years Loretta Van Norden of Grantham, NH, his son, L. John Van Norden of Windham, ME, his daughters Sarah Van Norden of South Portland, ME, Jennifer Van Norden of Midlothian, VA, Amy Monroe and her husband, Ricky of Lebanon, MO, grandchildren Johnna, Rachel, Paul, Courtney, Matthew, Macie, and Rebekah, great-grandchildren Light, Ronan, and Salem, brothers Roland Van Norden and his wife Evelyn of Biloxi, MS, Marshall Van Norden and his wife Joan of Thetford, VT, and "baby sister" Maudine Waterman and her husband Alan of Mercer, ME, as well as several nieces and nephews, and his sweet dog Emma.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 16, at 11AM at the United Church of Thetford, 5470 Route 5, North Thetford, VT. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Rest Cemetery in Thetford Center, VT.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project,

P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

Condolences to Sandy's family may be left at an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com

The Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., Vt is honored to be assisting Sandy's family.