Clear, 59° F
(Oct. 9, 1933 - Aug. 3, 2013)
Eva Loraine Henry Sanders, 79, died peacefully at Powell Valley Healthcare on Aug. 3, 2013, of natural causes.
Eva was born on Oct. 9, 1933, in Deaver to Helen Leona Richards Henry and Debs Lewis Henry.
She grew up in Frannie and attended school with the Deaver High School Class of 1953. She was active in the Job’s Daughters, Future Homemakers of America, chorus and pep squad. She later lived in Otto, Hyattville, Bonneville, Greybull and Martinsville, Ill., before moving back to Powell in 1966.
She married Leon Lyman Sanders in Billings on Dec. 14, 1951. She later joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was sealed to Leon in the Salt Lake Temple in 1976. She was widowed after 57 years of marriage.
Eva was an entrepreneur and businesswoman, starting Sanders Plumbing and Heating with Leon in 1976. The couple also owned and managed several apartment complexes in Powell and helped their children open a couple of businesses. She later started Bargain Yard and furniture stores in Lovell and Worland, which provided her an opportunity to make many new friends. She was admired in the community because she respected others, treated them fairly, saw the good in all people and looked out for the underdogs.
In her younger years, Eva participated in a variety of sports. She played fast pitch softball, coached her daughters’ softball teams, and encouraged her sons in baseball and softball. Eva also refereed high school basketball and participated in a bowling league.
Eva was often seen walking in town and that became her main form of exercise as she aged. Her enthusiasm for sports continued as she watched her children and grandchildren, as well as the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies and Phoenix Suns.
While doing radio advertisements for Bargain Yard on KPOW, she bantered with the morning host about the week’s sporting events.
As a mother of seven and grandmother of 22, Eva enjoyed children. She served in the children’s organization of her church and supported youth sports programs. Her grandchildren will forever cherish their memories of her cheering from the sidelines, playing Chinese checkers and Uno with her, and her laugh. She was also a devoted daughter, sister and wife.
Eva was preceded in death by her husband; parents; daughter Bonnie; granddaughters Victoria Gomez and Jamie Curry; sister Elizabeth Stingley; and brothers Harvey Henry, Eugene Henry and Calvin Johnson.
She is survived by her children Sharon Sanders of Pocatello, Idaho, Butch (Diana) of Cheyenne, Anita (Chris) Pelletier of Ralston, Melanie (Ken) Sanders-Smith of Washington, D.C., Steve (Sherry) of Powell, Calvin (Jodie) of Powell; 20 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the LDS Church at 1026 Avenue E. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service and burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell.
The Sanders family has requested that friends honor Eva’s memory through donations to Powell Recreation Foundation to support the Girls Fast Pitch Softball Program, P.O. Box 1185, Powell, WY 82435.
Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be posted online at www.thompsonfuneral.net or sent to P.O. Box 807 Powell, WY, 82435.
