Elaine L. Sanders

Elaine L. Sanders died Sunday, April 30, 2006, at her home in Winona, MN. Elaine was born August 9, 1922 in Carlton, MN to K. L. Ross and Olive (White) Douglas. Elaine was a graduate of Winona High School. She moved to California and was employed during WWII at North American Aviation where she helped build P51 Mustang fighter planes and the B25 Billy Mitchell bombers (as used in the first raid over Tokyo, Japan).Elaine married Glenn Sanders in 1948 in Phoenix, AZ. He worked for Household Finance for the next forty three years moving many times including AZ, CA, WA, IL, KS, CA, OH and IL. When Glenn was promoted to the Chicago home office of HFC in 1979 they moved to Libertyville, IL where they lived until moving to Winona in 1993. While health permitted, Elaine was active in the nursery at every church they attended. She also served as a Deaconess, Sunday school teacher and youth sponsor. She was involved with a church mission trip to an orphanage in Mexico. Her love for children persuaded them to be foster parents the thirteen children over a period of ten years. Elaine is survived by her husband, Glenn; their five children, Linda Jacks of Fallon, NV, John Sanders of Lakewood, OH, Debra McDowell of Winona, MN, Judy Sanders of Winona, MN and Mary Mills of Libertyville, IL; thirteen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; brother, Marvin Douglas of Winona, MN; and sister, Betty Robinson of Cottonwood Falls, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, James Earl and Donald and sisters, Alice Lex and Delores O'Laughlin.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2006 at 4:00pm at Cornerstone Community Church (1201 Service Dr, Winona, MN). Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Elaine is now in heaven with her Saviour Jesus Christ. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideons Int. (P.O. Box 1171, Winona, MN 55987) to purchase Bibles for free distribution. Anyone desiring a Bible may write Glenn Sanders, P.O. Box 30008, Winona, MN 55987. God Bless All.Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service - Hansen Tribute Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.Please feel free to share a memory of Elaine with the family or sign the guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com