Maurice Sandfort

Maurice Richard Sandfort, born Dec. 5, 1943, to Waldo and Irma Zumbehl Sandfort, of St. Charles, Missouri, died in the early hours of Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. Maurice "Moe" was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marjorie W. Hingst of St. Charles.

Moe had an idyllic childhood growing up in St. Charles. After high school, he met the love of his life, Patricia "Patti" Petzold, while attending Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. They were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Aug. 3, 1963. Moe and Patti had a wonderful life together, welcoming six children, 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia; his children and their spouses, Jennifer and David Scott of Pensacola, Florida, Jill and D. Neil Leeson of Dallas, Stephen and Rebecca Koch Sandfort of Azle, Texas, Julie and John Clark of Dallas, Lynn and Robbie Crites of West Plains, Missouri and Jason and Jessica Smith Sandfort of St. Charles; beloved grandchildren, Brandon and Kari Stephenson Scott, Ashley Scott and Nathan Crossland, Alyssa Scott, Peyton and Marie Holkenbrink Leeson, Ian Leeson, Rachel Sandfort and Joel Hardy, John Sandfort, Joe and Aubrey Bekkelund Sandfort, Charlotte Clark, Cameron Clark, Bo Crites, Coy Crites, Mac Crites, Henry Sandfort, Jacob Sandfort, Philip Sandfort and Sandfort baby due in May 2024; great-grandchildren, Harper Crossland, Scottie Crossland, Elijah Hardy, and Naomi Hardy; sister, Joanne Sandfort Bader; sister-in-law, Shirley Petzold; brother-in-law, Ernie and wife, Linda, Petzold; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and finally, his precious King Charles Spaniel, Piper.

Moe had a long and successful career in banking. He began his career as a teller at First State Bank in St. Charles in 1964. His dedication and leadership led him to be named president of several banks throughout Missouri. In November 1997, with the help of many supporters, he established Community First National Bank from the basement of his home in West Plains. Community First has grown into one of the largest banks in the region and continues to prosper. The final chapter in his banking career placed him back in Cape Girardeau with Bank of Missouri, where he retired in 2011. In 2015, Moe came out of retirement to take a senior advisor for Philanthropy position with Community Foundation of the Ozarks' East Region, where he helped establish Cape Area Community Foundation. He retired for a second time in 2016. Moe was a passionate and active philanthropist in every community he resided. In his later years, while in Cape Girardeau, he was honored to serve on the boards of Saint Francis Medical Center, Trinity Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Home and Southeast Missouri State University Foundation. He was also active in civic organizations, including Rotary clubs, chambers of Commerce and United Way organizations in Cape Girardeau and West Plains.

As committed as he was to his work, Moe was equally dedicated to his family and friends. He gathered most Thursdays for coffee with his friends in The Tower Club, golfed with his buddies, played pickleball before it became a trend and enjoyed traveling with several other couples on cruises to the Caribbean, visits to national parks and monuments, rock hunting or simply sightseeing. In 2021, he and Patti moved back to St. Charles to be closer to family. He was blessed to be reunited with his two sisters, Marjorie Hingst and Joanne Bader, as all were living in the same building at Breeze Park. The siblings, along with Patti, and their cousin, Joyce Hollrah, enjoyed daily dinners together. Moe was an avid Words With Friends player, Hallmark movie watcher, dog lover and bird enthusiast. If you knew Moe, you knew his love of St. Louis Cardinals baseball! He never missed watching a game and enjoyed talking to other fans about player stats. This July, his family gathered at Busch Stadium in an early celebration of his 80th birthday and he and Patti's 60th wedding anniversary. He entered the stadium in awe and wonder, a tear in his eye and a childlike grin on his face. Due to mobility issues, he never dreamed he would attend another game. It was a priceless day for the family.

His children sought his counsel daily, often having to wait for him to get off the phone with one of the other siblings. He affectionately referred to his family as the "BFE" Best Family Ever, and he was their rock. While success in business, a loving family, and abundant friendships are certainly attributes of a life well lived, Moe believed all of it would be for naught without faith in God. His faith in Jesus is the true legacy he left to his family and those who knew him well.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Baue Funeral Home of St. Charles.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles. Immediately following the service, there will be a graveside committal at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Family and friends are then welcome to return to the church for a light luncheon and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to one of the following: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Saint Francis Foundation, Community Foundation of the Ozarks or The Edge Ministries. Include "Moe Sandfort" in the memo field.