Richard Duane Sanders was born Nov. 25, 1932, to Floren “Pat” and Eva (Goodrich) Sanders in Hebron Township, Kossuth County, Iowa. He attended country school in Hebron Township and Lakota Public School. On June 14, 1952, Richard was united in marriage to Mary Louise Benck at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Fairmont. This marriage was blessed with two children, Karen and Duane. Richard and Mary farmed in Fairmont until 1953. Richard also worked at Teeter Case International, Fairmont Railway Motors as a mechanic at RecoMotors and a gas station in Granada. They made their home on the farm by East Chain until 2016 when they moved to Poetter Circle in Fairmont. After moving to the home farm by East Chain, Richard farmed his own land and also worked for Stokely’s Canning Factory. Richard, along with his son, Duane, did a lot of custom work for others where they would pick corn, plow, shell corn and put anhydrous down in the fields. After Richard acquired more land, he farmed for many years with Duane. Richard was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Pleasant Prairie Township where he served as president, secretary, and church council. In 1988, Richard became a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Fairmont and served on the financial committee as well as in other capacities. He was the supervisor of the Pleasant Prairie Township Board for many years. Richard enjoyed going to the roller-skating rink. Richard and Mary loved ballroom dancing and square dancing. They spent forty years wintering in Arizona, where he enjoyed silversmithing, woodcarving and playing pool whenever he could. They loved to travel and have been to almost every state, and several countries. He could fabricate almost anything and was always building things, including a bobcat. He enjoyed going to auctions and every town celebration where he would watch their parades. Richard was always willing to help anyone and never met a stranger as he was such a people person. He enjoyed reading the “funny papers” (comics) especially reading them to you. He thoroughly enjoyed pestering and teasing people. Richard had big dogs that he loved as faithful companions. Over 68 years of marriage his family always came first as he loved spending time with them. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Mary Sanders; two children, Karen (Ron) Gainey, and Duane (Melody) Sanders; five grandchildren, Ronnie Gainey II, Damon (Elaine) Gainey, Heather (Karl) Pint, Jennifer (Joseph) Reinsma, and Mary Elizabeth (Seth) Sanders-Reithmeyer; eight great-grandchildren, Kellan and Finley Gainey, Bethany, Ben, Thomas, and Jakob Pint, Xavier and Xander Reinsma; sister, Elaine Wood; nieces, nephews and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sister-in-law, Loyle Wood and George and Renata Benck; and nephew, Stacy Wood. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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