Irene Sander, age 92, former Gorham, Kansas, resident died Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at the Russell Regional Hospital, Russell, Kansas. She was born November 17, 1928, on the farm north of Gorham, Kansas, to Frank P. and Margaret (Rohr) Dechant. She married Louis R. Sander on August 3, 1950, at Walker, Kansas. He preceded her in death on July 8, 2012.
She was a homemaker and cooked at the Gorham Elementary School from 1981 until she retired in 1996. She also was a caregiver for Frank and Cecillia Polcyn of Russell for over 15 years. She grew up and attended school in Antonino, Kansas. After her marriage to Louis, they lived in Russell until they moved to their farm in 1959, south east of Gorham. Irene moved to care center in Russell in 2011.
Irene was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella both of Gorham, the Russell V.F.W. Auxiliary, and was a Charter member of the Sunflower Polka Club. She enjoyed cooking, quilting, crocheting and playing cards.
Survivors include two sons, Bruce Sander and wife, Mary, Gorham, KS; Mark Sander and wife, Susie, Lenexa, KS; five brothers, Herb Dechant and wife, Viola, Hays, KS; Eugene Dechant and wife (Kaye), Woodinville, WA; Duane Dechant and wife, Marge, Olathe, KS; Virgil Dechant, McPherson, KS; Harold Dechant and wife, Madeline, Gladstone, VA; five sisters, Rosiline Ziegler, Thornton, CO; Betty Knoll, Liberal, KS; Ann Brungardt-Ziegler, Grainfield, KS; Mariette Dechant, McPherson, KS; Barbara Zerr and husband Henry, Garden City, KS; six grandchildren, Matt Sander (Teal); Sarah Henry (Brett); Tyler Sander; Luke Sander (Katie); Lynn Sander and Derek Fricke; Elizabeth Roddy (Ryan); and ten great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Alvin Dechant; one sister, Evelyn Erickson; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, December 12, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Gorham, Kansas. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Gorham, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, all at St. Mary Catholic Church, Gorham, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St Mary Cemetery Fund or the Gorham Daughters of Isabella in care of the mortuary.
Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on line guestbook. Social distancing and wearing masks will be required at the visitation and funeral services.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street Victoria, Kansas 67671. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com