Margaret E. Sanders

Margaret Emerald Sanders, 86, passed away at her home Monday, Nov. 30, 2015.

She was born June 5, 1929, in Missoula, the only child of Frank and Maud Simpkins. Her mother died when Margaret was very young. She was lovingly raised with her four brothers and two sisters by her father and stepmother, Pearl. She grew up in Montana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, California and North Dakota.

On Aug. 18, 1950, Margaret married James Walter Sanders. Margaret and Jim built their home and raised their family in Missoula. Their love and devotion to one another and their family endured through all of their 60 years together.

Margaret was a homemaker in every sense of the word who dedicated herself to the needs and nurturance of loved ones, especially babies. She never shied away from hard work. She had an indomitable, perseverant spirit and extraordinary capacity for forgiveness.

Her many passions included flower gardening, classic country and western music, dancing, poetry, shopping and gifting, shoes, hats, her fantastic elephant collection and the warmth of a sunny spring or summer day.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her father; her mother; and her brother, Eugene.

Margaret is survived by her children, Patrick Sanders, Marjorie Boshaw and Gregory Sanders of Missoula, Terry Thompson (Ed) of Thompson Falls, James (Melody) of Anaconda and Neal (Tammie) of Salem, Oregon; her brothers Bob, Frank and Tom; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A funeral service commemorating Margaret's life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. A reception will follow. Condolences for Margaret's family may be left at missoulafuneralhomes.com.

It's impossible to express in words Margaret's generosity and devotion to her family. We're going to miss you and are committed to appreciating the life you have provided for us. Love you.


Read Margaret Sanders's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.