Dr. Wayne Sanstead Retires - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

A very popular North Dakota public official is retiring.

Dr. Wayne Sanstead is stepping down after spending decades serving North Dakota.

Hundreds gather Tuesday afternoon for Dr. Wayne Sanstead's retirement party at the State Capitol, a building where he's spent most of his career.

"This is the only year I haven't worked with Wayne since Wayne was in office, I worked 28 years with him," Former Assistant Superintendent Gary Gronberg said.

Sanstead spent 46 years working in North Dakota's State Capitol.

"Eight in the house, two in the senate, eight as Lieutenant Governor, and now 28 years as state superintendent of schools," Dr. Wayne Sanstead said.

Wayne's wife, and others who've worked with him throughout his career, respect the hard work and dedication he's shown to North Dakota.

"Definitely he'll be missed, he's pretty much a fixture in the Capitol and has been such for all his years of Public Service," Gronberg said.

"Oh absolutely I've loved every minute of it and he's done a good job, he really has," Mary Jane Sanstead said.

Wayne and his wife Mary Jane have been married for 55 years, and they're both looking forward to retirement.

"we've got a bucket list going, and my wife has a strong to do list, it's been 55 years together for us and 46 of those I've been on the ballot," Wayne said.

"We got a cat the other day the grand kids brought us a cat, so that's going to take up a lot of our time," Mary Jane said.

Time well deserved after representing North Dakotans for 46 years.

"It's a real privilege and it's been an honor," Wayne said.

Sanstead is the nation's longest serving Chief State School Officer.