Ruth Sanders

November 16, 1926 - September 17, 2013

Services for Ruth Sanders will be held at the Rocky Ford United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. on Friday, September, 20, 2013. Viewing will be prior to the service at the church at 9 am and Thursday from 2pm to 5pm at the funeral home. Bishop David Mayhoffer of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will conduct the services. Interment will be at Valley View Cemetery in Rocky Ford. Ruth Ailene Thomas Sanders died in Rocky Ford on September 17, 2013 and was born November 16, 1926 to Hobart and Ida Thomas in Treece, Kansas. Siblings, Goldie Thomas Keyser, Imagine Thomas Mead, Frances Thomas, and Hobart Thomas, Jr. all preceded her in death. Her parents died when Ruth was an infant and after their deaths, Ruth was raised by paternal aunt and uncle, Henry and Hattie Berg. Each sibling was raised by a different aunt and uncle. She also had 2 foster brothers that preceded her in death, Jim Berg and Clifford Limway, who was killed in the pacific during World War II. Ruth lived in the Pratt, Kansas area and moved to Rocky Ford in 1939. She attended Rocky Ford schools. In her early years she worked various jobs including a photographer where she learned to tint black and white photographs, restaurants, and the United States Post Office. On April 17, 1946 Ruth married Edwin Sanders in Raton, New Mexico. Edwin was a World War II veteran and worked for the Post Office. He died February 26, 1972. They were parents to Kit, Myron Dean, Denise, Rockie, and Joann. Ruth worked for Hollar Seeds for a few years after Edwin's death and then opened a day care in her home. She was affectionately referred to as "Grandma" to the children, befriending their parents and even acting as matchmaker on occasion. Ruth was a patient at Pioneer Nursing Care Center where she had many friends and neighbors that she enjoyed. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Survivors include her children Kit (John) Ring, Dean (Joan) Sanders, Rockie Sanders, and Joann Torres (boyfriend Andrew Baca); Grandchildren Tishina, Phalicity, Gabrielle, Patrice, Alexander, and Kaitlan; and Great Grandchildren Joshua, James, Daminic, Jodia, Noah and Zacharia. Sister-in-law Carol (Don) Gause, and Brother-in-law Charles Gee and several nieces and nephews also survive as do her many daycare "grandchildren". Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, foster parents, siblings, infant daughter, Denise and close friend Helen Hatch. Memorial contributions can be made to the Grand Friends, P.O. Box 304; Rocky Ford, CO 81067. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.