GRACE EILEEN SANDER
December 14, 1928 – April 8, 2011

Grace Eileen Sander, age 82 of Park Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully on Friday April 8, 2011 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN with her loved ones at her side.
Grace was born on December 14, 1928 in Dickinson, North Dakota to George and Mary (Beasley) Huffman. She grew up on her parent’s farm near Regent, ND graduating from the Regent Public High School with the Class of 1946. Grace went on to attend Normal teachers training and taught country school for one year. On September 20, 1947, Grace was united in marriage to Ralph William Sander in New England, ND. This union was blessed with three children: Clayton, Elaine and Diane. Grace devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her family. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious spaghetti, breads and rolls and her incredible hot dill pickles. The Sander family ranched and farmed on the East Rainy Butte south of New England, ND for a number of years. In 1953, they ventured eastward to Park Rapids, MN where they farmed in Henrietta Township and continued raising beef cattle. In 1958, they sold their cattle and put the farm land in the federal soil bank, bought a large camper trailer and Grace and the kids traveled with Ralph as he worked construction throughout Minnesota. In 1964, they resumed farm life near park Rapids where they raised up a fine dairy herd and milked cows and raised sheep and hogs. They retired from farming in 1982. They continued to make their home on the farm until 1994 when they moved to the River Heights Apartments. Grace had a love for the outdoors. Each spring while on the farm, she looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden which she nurtured into fruitful abundance to can for her growing family. She loved to fish on nearby Stony Lake with her good friend, Alma Lesmeister. She also enjoyed dancing and playing cards. Grace was a member of the First English Lutheran Church in Dorset for many years, and later, after moving to Park Rapids, transferred to St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. Ralph preceded Grace in death in March of 1995. Throughout her life, Grace devoted herself to her family who she loved with all her heart.
She will be lovingly remembered by her three children: Clayton (Linda) Sander of Grand Forks, ND, Elaine (Butch) Friday of Park Rapids and Diane (Steven) Dudley of Nevis; her six grandchildren; her special friend, Walter Baker of Park Rapids; her five step-grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and six step-great great grandchildren; her brother, Tom (Mary Ann) Huffman of Spearfish, SD as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; l brother, Robert; a grandson in infancy and nephew, Terry.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Thursday, April 14, 2011 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with Pastor James Neubauer and Pastor Timothy Heinecke officiating. The organist will be Kris Kreutzer and the soloist will be her grandson-in-law, Myron Ready. Her casket bearers will be her grandchildren: Angie Armburst, Christopher Friday, Melissa Ready, Michelle Nelson, Arthur Friday and great granddaughter, Ashley Armburst. Interment will be made in the Henrietta Cemetery next to her husband, Ralph. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, April 13, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids from 5 to 8 PM and again for one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. A luncheon will be hosted by St. Johns for all.