Richard Ross Sanders

Richard Ross Sanders

Richard Ross Sanders (Dick) was born on November 4, 1960 to Dick and Annastelle Sanders. As the 4th child and only son naturally his three sisters and mom and dad fell in love at first glance with this bright eyed, inquisitive child. Dick made friends easily with his zany and quirky personality and his unusual aptitude for spot-on nicknames and uncanny ability to imitate the movement of any of God’s creatures. His love of wild places, and the great outdoors provided him years of exploring, hunting, fishing, motorcycles, snowmobiles, horn hunting, skiing, boating, swimming and hiking. In later years, he ended his party days and developed a keen sense of the magic and spirit of all that is, spending hours on the deck observing and enjoying the antics of all the critters who flocked to him. He was a carpenter by trade, as was his father before him, and proud of all his hands could create.

Dick married his soul mate, Brenda Johnson, in 1989. Together they built their home at Old Georgetown, where they created a life of continuous and ever expanding love. All who visited left feeling a little bit better. Dick was kind and took care of so many people, big and little, in a multitude of ways, large and small. He was humble, so these good deeds were quiet and he never needed or wanted thanks.

Dick took on his cancer diagnosis with a determination and a warrior spirit, until his body told him “no more”. Once he decided he needed to move on, he did that transition as wholeheartedly as he did everything else. His fighting spirit and waning body brought him to a depth of spiritual understanding and an appreciation of all that is and he was anxious to meet his maker and fall into the arms of his previously deceased family and friends.

Dick was greeted on the other side by his parents, grandparents, his loving oldest sister, Christie Kay Sanders, his youngest sister, Shelly Sanders, bestest buddy, Davy Swanson and Mom-in-law, Peggy Johnson.

He leaves behind wife, Brenda Johnson, sister, Joan Sanders Borneman, brother-in-law, Randy McIntyre, nephews and spouses, Ben and Teresa Borneman, Nate and Stacie Sanders, and great nephew Kieran Holbrook Borneman. Additionally , Jay Johnson and his daughter, great niece, Vivian Johnson, loved their outings at the cabin as they loved Dick. He had too many heart connections to name, but, you know who you are, and you know how much you were valued and loved. Dick also loved and doted on his God doggie, Stella, and delighted in her with a dizzying intensity.

In broken hearted disbelief we remind ourselves that love is indeed stronger than death and we must carry on as Dick would have wanted. Special thanks to Ben and Teresa Borneman who did the heavy lifting in the end, and to Lenore’s Place for creating a loving space in which to wait out the unveiling of life’s biggest mysteries.

Please join us all for Dick’s Celebration of Life, Saturday, June 14, at Smitty’s Barn at 2 p.m. Visit axelsonfuneral.com to leave a memory or condolence.