ROBERT C. SANDERS
Robert Carey Sanders was born October 20, 1929 to Merle and Fern L. (Pummel) Sanders in Auburn, Nebraska. He received his education in the Auburn Public Schools, graduating in 1947. At that time Bob began working for Safeway Stores in Auburn, Atlantic, Iowa and the Phoenix, Arizona area. He left the company as store manager in Buckeye, Arizona in 1963.
In 1949 Bob married Norma Hawley. Three children were born to this marriage. They later divorced. In 1959 he married Ann M. Collier in Prescott, Arizona. One son was born to this marriage, David. Ann had a daughter, Cynthia Highfill, who Bob raised as his own. They returned to Auburn where Bob worked for the Auburn Machine Works and the Police Department before starting to work for the U.S. Post Office. He retired as Postmaster from Hebron, Nebraska in 1992.
Bob was always active in church wherever they were living. He taught Sunday School from Pre-school up to Senior adults. While in Hebron he taught a Bible study for eight years at Parkside Manor. Bob was also a member of civic organizations in the communities in which they lived.
One of his proudest accomplishments was being a member of a committee that oversaw the building of the first desalination plants in the U.S. in Buckeye, Arizona.
After retiring Bob and Ann moved back to Auburn. He stayed active in civic organizations, his church, Gideons, and teaching Bible studies.
In March of 2018 Bob became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn. It was there he passed away, with family around him, on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, having reached the age of 89 years, 6 months, and 10 days. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother John, sisters Alberta (in infancy), Rose Lee, and Arlene, his wife of 47 years Ann, and great-grandson Bryce.
Survivors include his sisters Jean Scott of Medford, Oregon, Milly Thies of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; daughter Cynthia and husband Dennis Edwards of Cheney, Washington; son Dave and wife Peggy Sanders of Adair, Iowa; grandsons Nate (Dana) Sanders of Papillion, Nebraska, Jeff (Bridgette) Sanders of Lusby, Maryland; step-grandsons Chris (Wendy) Stevenson, Mark (Robin) Stevenson all of Nemaha, Nebraska; 12 great-grandchildren; 3-great-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Jackie Gfeller. Laura Osborne was accompanist for a duet by Janell Johnson and Judy DeBuhr. Casket bearers were Nate Sanders, Jeff Sanders, Chris Stevenson, Mark Stevenson, Brett Stevenson and Tommy Grafton. Honorary bearers were Elmer Armknecht, Todd Zimmerman, Dan Hodges, Lanny Williams, Wayne Chase, Van Leech, Mike Vinson, Dave Thomas, Dale Thomas, Jeff Garver, and Jerry Whisler. Burial was in Sheridan West Cemetery.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.