Ida Sander

Ida Frieda Sander departed this life Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She lived 88 years, 7 months and 29 days.

Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Wessell, Michael "Mick" Wessel, Brian Wessell, Joe Nussbaum, Bob Wachter and Steve Wessell.

Friends may call today, Feb. 5, between 4 and 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, Mo.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville, Mo., followed by interment in the church cemetery. The Revs. Wayne Schwiesow and Karl Leeman will officiate.

Friends may call after 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Ida was born June 5, 1913, at Dutchtown, Mo., daughter of H.W.A. "Albert" and Lily F. Muster Wessel. She attended school at Dutchtown, where her father and uncle owned and operated the former Wessell Brothers Store.

Ida was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church. She was confirmed at the church April 10, 1927; and she and Edwin W. Sander were united in marriage at the church Aug. 26, 1937. Edwin passed away Nov. 7, 1983.

Loving survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Darrell W. and Ruth Ann Sander, James K. "Jim" and Karen Sander, and Don W. Sander, all of Jackson; a brother and sister-in-law, Clarence "Ken" and Charlotte Wessel of Chaffee, Mo.; a sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Herbert Nussbaum of Cape Girardeau; and two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Wessell of Gordonville and Norma Jean Wessell of Jackson.

Also surviving are four grandchildren, Lisa Craft and husband Jeff of Jackson, Michelle Hohler and husband Jeremy of Jackson, Dane and Garrett Sander of Perryville, Mo.; and a great-granddaughter, Alisha Craft of Jackson.

In addition to her husband and parents, an infant daughter, two brothers, Albert "Bud" and George Wessell; and five sisters, Hilda Eggimann, Lydia Wachter, Amanda, Alma and Clara Wessel; and three grandchildren also preceded her in death.

The Sanders lived many years next door to their beloved church in Gordonville. Ida was an integral part of the Ladies Aid, and her family recalls her passion for quilting with the Ladies Aid, and the pleasure she received from helping do anything needed at the church.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanders' personalities truly complemented each other. Mrs. Sander's quiet demeanor and reserved character enabled Mr. Sander's lively personality, which lent itself well to the card parties they enjoyed with their many friends.

Mrs. Sander was an avid participant in town-ball, a form of baseball which was formerly played in the Dutchtown and Gordonville communities, and in later years she played with her children and other family members. Raising boys is cause for any mother to learn an appreciation of sports, and that she did. She often commented that after raising three boys (and 15 years of attending games), she eventually learned the sport of football, an achievement of which she was particularly proud.

In 1976 the Sanders moved to Cape Girardeau, where Ida would frequently quilt with her sister, Louise, at Trinity Lutheran, as well as quilting with the ladies at Zion Lutheran. After Ed's passing, Ida continued to help at church and to meet with various ladies card groups until moving to the Lutheran Home in 1995.

Ida's family will mourn the loss of their faithful mother and grandmother. Her daughters-in-law will mourn the loss of a true friend.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Zion Lutheran Organ Fund.