Obituary for Deacon Claire Wendell Sanders
Iron Mountain-Deacon Claire Wendell Sanders, 90, died peacefully July 29, 2020 at Victorian Pines Assisted Living, Iron Mountain, Mich.
Deacon Sanders was born June 6, 1930, in Frankenmuth Michigan, to Conrad and Edith (Mitts) Wendell.
He was a devout Catholic, the Lord and his family were the center of his life; he gave generously of his time and talents to both, giving from the heart, expecting nothing in return.
He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Foster City, Mich. for over 70 years. He was ordained a permanent Deacon for the diocese of Marquette by Bishop James Garland in 2005. His diaconal duties included assisting the presiding priest at the altar, proclaiming the Gospel, reading the Universal Prayer, and distributing Holy Communion at St. Joseph Church. Configured to Christ the Servant, Deacon Sandy ministered to others in many humble ways including ministering to the homebound and those confined to nursing homes and hospitals.
Deacon Claire retired from active ministry when his health declined. However, he continued to devote his time to pray for those in need.
In 1994 he graduated from the Lay Ministry Leadership School instituted by the Catholic Diocese of Marquette and was commissioned by Bishop James Garland. The two-year program prepared him to assume pastoral lay responsibilities under the direction of his pastor where he primarily taught religious education at St. Joseph Church.
He was married in 1950 to the love of his life, Ruth Charlebois, they were married for 53 years. They met in high school and were married at the age of 20. After retirement they enjoyed years of travel throughout the United States and Canada. He devoted his life to caring for her after she had a stroke in 2001. In 2006 he traveled to India with his son-in-law, Wayne, to see his former pastor. In 2010 he traveled to Italy with his extended family.
He had many interests including becoming a pilot, running, golfing, (achieving a “hole in one”), hunting and fishing, he had a real appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors.
He enjoyed baseball his entire life, playing on the Hardwood and Felch baseball teams in his younger years, and he was an avid Cardinal fan beginning at 9 years of age.
He, along with his life-long friend Wayne Nelson began the Sturgeon Valley Development company in Breen Township in 1983 developing and selling real estate at Stromberg Park.
He began his trucking career at age 19 in Port Washington, Wis. and retired after 40 years. He had many stories to share about his challenges and experiences. His greatest story was after he retired and was asked to deliver the Tree of Hope, the Nations Christmas tree, from the UP to Washington D. C. in 2001 at age 71.
He was involved in local politics for 30 years, including township deputy, Breen township supervisor and Dickinson County Commissioner. He also served as Chairman of the county board and as a county road commissioner. He campaigned successfully for a highway memorial and monument in honor of Oscar Johnson, a WWII Medal of Honor recipient from Foster City.
He loved his life which he always knew was a gift from God. He was resilient and relied on his faith which got him through many challenges. He loved his wife, his family, the Church and his community.
He is survived by his children Roberta Sanders (Larry Malanowski), Mequon, Wis., Laurel Green (Ike), Buchanan, Mich., Jerry Sanders (Susie), Quinnesec, Mich., Janet Sanders (Wayne Barta), Hartland, Wis., Larry Sanders (Cindy), Niagara, Wis., Dennis Sanders (Carlosita), South Bend, Ind., and Gregory Sanders (Julianne), Green Bay, Wis.; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and his sister Charlotte Smith (Gilbert), Sheboygan, Wis.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth (Charlebois) of 53 years; his sisters Mary Bechtold (Chuck) and Carol Lieder (Alois); his brothers Sylvester and Eugene; and his son-in-law, Ike Green.
He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather.
Thank you to the physicians at Froedtert Memorial Hospital, Wauwatosa, Wis. who cared for him over the years, and the loving, kind, and compassionate care givers at Victorian Pines Assisted Living.
Due to Covid-19 and state regulations a private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Church, Foster City, Mich. Rev. Fr. Darryl Pepin will officiate. A public graveside service will be held Saturday August 1, 2020, 12:00 noon, at the Foster City Cemetery, Foster City, Mich., with social distancing being observed.
If you choose, donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Foster City, Mich.
Friends may leave condolences and memorial tributes on Deacon Claire’s obituary page at www.jacobsfuneralhomes. com
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Deacon Claire’s legacy of life.
Deacon Sanders was born June 6, 1930, in Frankenmuth Michigan, to Conrad and Edith (Mitts) Wendell.
He was a devout Catholic, the Lord and his family were the center of his life; he gave generously of his time and talents to both, giving from the heart, expecting nothing in return.
He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Foster City, Mich. for over 70 years. He was ordained a permanent Deacon for the diocese of Marquette by Bishop James Garland in 2005. His diaconal duties included assisting the presiding priest at the altar, proclaiming the Gospel, reading the Universal Prayer, and distributing Holy Communion at St. Joseph Church. Configured to Christ the Servant, Deacon Sandy ministered to others in many humble ways including ministering to the homebound and those confined to nursing homes and hospitals.
Deacon Claire retired from active ministry when his health declined. However, he continued to devote his time to pray for those in need.
In 1994 he graduated from the Lay Ministry Leadership School instituted by the Catholic Diocese of Marquette and was commissioned by Bishop James Garland. The two-year program prepared him to assume pastoral lay responsibilities under the direction of his pastor where he primarily taught religious education at St. Joseph Church.
He was married in 1950 to the love of his life, Ruth Charlebois, they were married for 53 years. They met in high school and were married at the age of 20. After retirement they enjoyed years of travel throughout the United States and Canada. He devoted his life to caring for her after she had a stroke in 2001. In 2006 he traveled to India with his son-in-law, Wayne, to see his former pastor. In 2010 he traveled to Italy with his extended family.
He had many interests including becoming a pilot, running, golfing, (achieving a “hole in one”), hunting and fishing, he had a real appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors.
He enjoyed baseball his entire life, playing on the Hardwood and Felch baseball teams in his younger years, and he was an avid Cardinal fan beginning at 9 years of age.
He, along with his life-long friend Wayne Nelson began the Sturgeon Valley Development company in Breen Township in 1983 developing and selling real estate at Stromberg Park.
He began his trucking career at age 19 in Port Washington, Wis. and retired after 40 years. He had many stories to share about his challenges and experiences. His greatest story was after he retired and was asked to deliver the Tree of Hope, the Nations Christmas tree, from the UP to Washington D. C. in 2001 at age 71.
He was involved in local politics for 30 years, including township deputy, Breen township supervisor and Dickinson County Commissioner. He also served as Chairman of the county board and as a county road commissioner. He campaigned successfully for a highway memorial and monument in honor of Oscar Johnson, a WWII Medal of Honor recipient from Foster City.
He loved his life which he always knew was a gift from God. He was resilient and relied on his faith which got him through many challenges. He loved his wife, his family, the Church and his community.
He is survived by his children Roberta Sanders (Larry Malanowski), Mequon, Wis., Laurel Green (Ike), Buchanan, Mich., Jerry Sanders (Susie), Quinnesec, Mich., Janet Sanders (Wayne Barta), Hartland, Wis., Larry Sanders (Cindy), Niagara, Wis., Dennis Sanders (Carlosita), South Bend, Ind., and Gregory Sanders (Julianne), Green Bay, Wis.; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and his sister Charlotte Smith (Gilbert), Sheboygan, Wis.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth (Charlebois) of 53 years; his sisters Mary Bechtold (Chuck) and Carol Lieder (Alois); his brothers Sylvester and Eugene; and his son-in-law, Ike Green.
He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather.
Thank you to the physicians at Froedtert Memorial Hospital, Wauwatosa, Wis. who cared for him over the years, and the loving, kind, and compassionate care givers at Victorian Pines Assisted Living.
Due to Covid-19 and state regulations a private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Church, Foster City, Mich. Rev. Fr. Darryl Pepin will officiate. A public graveside service will be held Saturday August 1, 2020, 12:00 noon, at the Foster City Cemetery, Foster City, Mich., with social distancing being observed.
If you choose, donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Foster City, Mich.
Friends may leave condolences and memorial tributes on Deacon Claire’s obituary page at www.jacobsfuneralhomes. com
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich. to honor Deacon Claire’s legacy of life.