Sandra Jean Sanders

Sandra Jean Sanders, 82, went home to Christ August 5, 2026, while in the loving care of the Sedgwick County Memorial Nursing Home in Julesburg, CO.

Sandra was born to Willard Charles and Betty Jean (McCormick) Buskirk on April 22, 1944, and the oldest of 6 children. While Willard was fighting in World War II, Betty spent many hours instilling in Sandra a love for reading and history. Sandra never lost those passions.

Sandra's love for literature and studying showed when she was 8th grade Valedictorian of Scottsbluff County School system. She went on to graduate from Minatare High School in 1962 and continued her education at Western Nebraska Community College, where she met her future husband, Donald Edward Sanders. They were married April 16, 1965, and during the marriage were blessed with 3 children, Donald Edward (Ted), Elisabeth Ann, and Mary Noel. Her children were the light of her life and bragging rights. With her husband being a Methodist Church Pastor, they moved several times and lived in NE, CO, and WY. Sandra took the position of pastor's wife seriously and helped with the activities of the church. She always held a deep belief in Christ and the Church until her death. Sandra always helped with the family income by using her skills as an insurance secretary and an underwriter.

Sandra continued her education in her 50's and became a teacher. Sandra taught high school English and 2nd grade in Cody, NE. Sandra moved onto the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and worked as an Alternative Education instructor, after which she taught English as a second language and tutored students to prepare them for their GED's at Western Nebraska Community College in Sidney, NE. Sandra had a great attachment to all her students and families that touched her life and a special connection with people from the reservation.

Everyone who met her knew of her passion for literature, history, the church, and especially her family.

Sandra is preceded in death by her parents, Willard C Buskirk and Betty J Buskirk, her brother W. Leroy Buskirk, and several Aunts and Uncles.

Sandra is survived by her children, son Donald Edward (Valerie) Sanders, daughters Elisabeth Ann (Kevin) Sanders and Mary Noel (Ryan) Cohagan, sisters Paula (Byron) Sharman, Linda Irene (Dave) Webb, Marianne (R D) Sutphen and brother Jimmy (Renee) Buskirk, 8 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and special friends.

Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 10:00 am at the Julesburg United Methodist Church with Pastor Aaron McClellan officiating. Inurnment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Alliance, Nebraska.

A memorial has been established in Sandra's memory with the intent to support the Methodist Church Ladies. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com, where the service will be streamed live.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.