Richard Lee Sanders

Richard Lee Sanders was born in a log cabin on the family farm in Long Lake Township, Watonwan County, MN to Edward A. and Hulda (Pierson) Sanders on November 29, 1929. He was baptized at the parsonage in St. James, MN on June 12, 1930. Richard attended school through the third grade in rural Butterfield. They moved to Lewisville and he continued his school there through the eighth grade. Richard graduated from Madelia High School in 1947. From 1947-1952 he worked for his dad and other farmers in the Lewisville area. On February 18, 1952 Richard was united in marriage to Opal Ardeth Johnson in Madelia. In March of 1952, Richard entered the US Army and was honorably discharged in March of 1954. He worked in 1954 for his brother, Ed Sanders, Jr. In March of 1955 Richard moved to the family farm in Westford Township. Martin County. On September 4, 1996, Opal passed away. On December 27, 1997 Richard married Lorinda Urban at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Truman. Richard moved into the Lutheran Manor in February of 2007 and into Truman Senior Living in March of 2007. Richard was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Truman, he served over twenty years on the Westford Township Board and he was a 4-H leader. He served as an usher at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and was on the stewardship committee. Richard loved sports and played fast pitch softball and basketball as a young man. He never missed family sporting events. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his buddy, Gordon. Richard also enjoyed golfing with his grandchildren. Richard died on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at the Fairmont Medical Center. Richard is survived by his wife, Lorinda, Truman, MN; three daughters, Nancy Firchau and her husband Jerry of Denton, TX, Barbara Sanders of St. Paul, MN, Laurie Holman and her husband Steve of Sauk Center, MN; one son, Rick Sanders and his wife Brenda of Mitchell, SD; two step-sons, Ryan Urban of Mahtomedi, MN, Aaron Urban, St. Paul, MN; eight grandchildren, Andy, Luke, Stephanie, Levi, Crystal, Ethan, Matthew and Amanda; four great grandchildren; his first wife's mother, Olivia Simpson of Madelia; Lorinda's mother, Verona Tonn of Truman; one sister-in-law, Maxine Mukelbust of Truman; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Opal; two brothers, Ed Sanders, Jr. and Luverne Sanders.