Henry Joe Sandve was born December 2, 1951, in Minnesota to Henry Oscar (Hank) Sandve and Arlene Fern Sandve (Claude). Joe grew up on his family's farm with his sister LaRue and never stopped farming, first in Minnesota, then the Ackley Geneva area of Iowa and finally Collins, Iowa.

In 1961 the family moved to Collins, Iowa. In Collins he was a member of the FFA and showed cattle. He also enjoyed riding his horses.

After graduating from Collins, Joe attended Iowa State University majoring in agri-business. At ISU, Joe lived in Hanson house and served on the RCA Executive Council.

After graduating, Joe continued to farm with his father, Hank, eventually purchasing his first 40 acre plot a few miles east of the home farm in Collins. During this time, Joe also worked for the Production Credit Association. After leaving PCA, Joe formed his own company, Ag Land Realty, in Marshalltown Iowa. He also found time to get his own pilot's license. Joe became a Certified Real Property Appraiser.

In later years, he became a world traveler going to South America, Europe, and the Middle East. He did everything from riding camels to visiting historic Europe to swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean with his friends. He even took his sister LaRue to Las Vegas for a helicopter tour of the Zany Grey ranch.

Joe was very proud of all the connections he made and the people he knew. His friendly, outgoing personality meant that wherever he went he always made a new friend, whether they were wait staff at local restaurants to the owners of the largest farming operations in Iowa. Joe made friends with them all. He especially enjoyed bringing them all together for parties at his machine shed in Collins.

Joe was preceded in death by his father Hank, his mother Arlene, and his sister LaRue, a nephew, David Owen. Joe is survived by his nephew Bob Ramsey (wife Deb Hannen) of Iowa City, Iowa, and nephew Mike Ramsey of Colo, Iowa.

The visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home, 1418 Fawcett Pkwy, in Nevada. Joe’s funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2026, also at the funeral home. Cremation rites will follow the service and private burial will take place at the Colo Cemetery in Colo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Collins-Maxwell FFA or to any FFA chapter of your choice in Joe’s memory.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with the arrangements for Joe. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.