Marlys (Dawson) Sanders, 85, of Ida Grove died at her home on Tuesday, April 16, 2013.
Born Nov. 24, 1927, in New Effington, Marlys Florene (Dawson) Sanders was the daughter of Delbert and Agnes (Beito) Dawson. Her family moved to Aberdeen when Marlys was 2 years old. She attended Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1945. Marlys received the highest honor by her fellow classmates when she was voted Pageant Queen.
She attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen and was later employed by the state's attorney in Aberdeen for the U.S.E.S. employment office, and later for Farm Bureau in Worthington, Minn.
On May 29, 1947, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Joseph "Whitey" Sanders in San Francisco, Calif., following his honorable discharge from the Army medics. The couple made their home in Aberdeen, until moving in 1950 to Worthington, Minn. They were blessed with four wonderful children: Darby, Jana, Kevan and Ronald. The last years of her life were spent in Ida Grove.
Marlys was a homemaker, wife and stay-at-home mother until the last of her children left home. Family was very important to her, and all activities were enjoyed as a close family, including band, sporting events, fishing, and traveling. Marlys cherished with all of her heart her nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A talented musician, Marlys enjoyed singing and playing the piano. She also enjoyed journalism and horseback riding.
Survivors include four children: Darby (Wendy) Sanders of Ida Grove, Jana (Jim) Moeding of Montevideo, Minn., Kevan (Debora) Sanders of Fergus Falls, Minn., and Ronald Sanders of Slayton, Minn.; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Dale Dawson, of Sioux Falls.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, in 1991, and her loving parents.