Opal Sanders

Opal Sanders, 96, of Elgin, Iowa passed away peacefully at Stoney Brook Village, West Union, Iowa on January 25, 2021. 

Opal Jean Sanders was born in rural Elgin IA, to Albert and Mabel (Medberry) Dennler on April 17, 1924.  She attended country school and graduated from Elgin High School in 1941. 

In 1943, she went to Evanston, IL and was a nurse’s aid at St. Francis Hospital.  Later she moved to Chicago and was a file clerk at the Army War Bond Office.  

While in Chicago she met her future husband, Arnold Sanders, who was in the Navy.  They were married September 14, 1944, at the Baptist parsonage in Wildwood NJ where Arnold was stationed.  Later he was transferred to Alameda CA where Opal worked in the Southern Pacific Freight Depot office.  

When Arnold was discharged from the Navy in 1945 they came to Iowa and farmed on her parents farm near Elgin.  Later they bought a farm near Hawkeye.  After retiring they purchased a home in Elgin and spent the winters at their home in San Antonio, TX.  

Opal volunteered at the Good Samaritan Home in West Union for 25 years.  She loved playing cards with friends and also fishing in MN with Arnold, Harold, Mimi and others and spending time with children and grandchildren.  She was a member of the Illyria Church, rural Elgin, and the Illyria Ladies Aid. 

Survivors include Ray (Sharon) Sanders, Israel; Jean Gross, Manchester; Dale and Robert (Wanda) Sanders, Sumner; Linda (Randy) Alexander, San Antonio TX; and Wayne (Natalie) Sanders, Spring Branch TX; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren and several step-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband Arnold in 2002, she was preceded in death by her parents, sister Helen Grover, brother Harold, infant brother Donald and son-in-law Duncan Gross.

Services to be held at a later date.

"Let us so live that those left behind will celebrate our life rather than mourn our death."

The family would like to express their appreciation for her excellent care during the past four years at Stoney Brook as well as the kindness shown to them by Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospice.