Kathryn Jane Sanderson

Our sweet mother took her last breath on July 4, 2025 at Curry House in Cadillac, Michigan. She was born Kathryn Jane Clark on January 4, 1931 to T. Wiley and Opal Clark in Monmouth, Illinois. She grew up on her parents' farm in Little York, Illinois, the middle child of three. After graduating from Little York High School in 1948, she attended Monmouth College for two years. She finished her schooling at Iowa State Teacher's College in 1952 with a teaching degree in Home Economics. She taught school in Stronghurst and Fairbury, Illinois. On September 15, 1956 she married James McMillan Sanderson of Stronghurst, Illinois and together they raised six daughters: Kathy (Ron) Fila of Petoskey, MI, Lorrie (Paul) Rogers of W Collingswood, NJ, Lisa Sanderson of Cadillac, MI, Nancy (Rich) Clinton of Phillips, WI, Janis (Jeff) Dawson of Richland, MI and Judy Sanderson of Kohler, WI. They made their home in Grand Rapids, MI until 1961 when they moved permanently to Cadillac where Jim began his Internal Medicine career at Medical Arts. Mom's life was characterized by homemaking, sewing her daughters' clothes and teaching her daughters to cook and sew. The Presbyterian Church choir and the Philharmonic Club were blessed for years with her soprano voice. Other community involvement included League of Women Voters, Girl Scout leader and hospital volunteer. She was a lifelong, active member of the Presbyterian Church. Camping with the family, growing flowers and bird watching brought her joy. Her distinguishing characteristic had to be her laughter. It could be heard and recognized from afar. At Curry House her smile and quick wit endeared her to many. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, sister Patricia Edmonds, and former husband James Sanderson. She is survived by her brother Richard Clark of Little York, Illinois, cousins Barb Ellefsen of Stoughton, Wisconsin and Carol Dotseth of Cedar Falls, Iowa, her six daughters, four son's-in-law, seventeen grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. A memorial service is set for 11:00 a.m., July 26, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Cadillac. Interment will be at Cedar Creek Cemetery, Little York, Illinois. Memorial gifts may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Cadillac or Hospice of Michigan. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful people at Curry House and Hospice who cared for mom and brought smiles and laughter to her, making her last days ones of joy. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Kathryn Jane Sanderson

January 4, 1931 - July 4, 2025