PATRICIA J (BLACKBURN) SANDERS Obituary (1930

On April 19, 2016, Pat Sanders joined her beloved husband of 64 years and the Lord. Patricia J. Sanders was born to Harold and Florence Blackburn in Parkerton, WY on April 27, 1930. Her and her four brothers and two sisters were raised on their family dairy farm. Pat started milking at 8 years old and by the time she was in middle school was responsible for milking 30-40 cows morning and evening. She attended LaPrelle Country School through 8th grade. At seventeen years old Pat met the love of her life, Harold Sanders, at a country dance. They were married shortly after on August 29, 1948. They had two children, Art and Judy. They started their life together working for Harold's uncle herding sheep and living in a sheep wagon near Douglas, WY. In 1957 they purchased Silver Spruce Ranch in the Medicine Bow Mountains southwest of Glenrock, WY. Here they would spend their summers and falls every year running cows and sheep and operating the dude ranch. Pat was known for her cooking wonderful meals for up to 50 ranch visitors, and the neighbors all knew Pat was on her way to town by the dust trail. In the fall they would guide hunters and Pat had many humorous stories about entertaining the guests with her mischievous antics. These included water fights, pinecone fights, softball games, food fights from frosting to eggs, and she loved nothing more than to empty the raft of innocent floaters on the lake. There was no one who could turn an ordinary afternoon into great laughs and wonderful memories like Pat. In 1970 Harold and Pat purchased the Wagner Ranch at Fortine, MT. Here they raised cattle for 30 years. Pat continued her mischief now with grandkids and neighbors. She was known for always having a welcoming heart to anyone who would stop in at the ranch. There was always coffee and goodies available. Pat was also known as a fanatic berry picker, mushroom picker and rock hound. Didn't matter if it was a little rock or a boulder Pat found something of interest she wanted to pack home. Often making special trips back with crow bars and poles to load the "special" rocks she just had to have. If you got her in a berry patch you could hardly pry her away and she was still picking at 85 years old. Crafting was one of Pat's favorite pastimes. She was very creative and loved sewing, wood working, cake decorating, wreath making, embroidery, making rag rugs as well as many other things. Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, and her three brothers, Buster, Jim and Jerry Blackburn. She is survived by siblings, Toots, Georgia and Bob; her two children, Art (Ellie) Sanders and Judy (Bruce) Smith; her grandchildren, Melissa (Brady)Vandeberg, Travis (Rochelle) Sanders, Nathan (Jenny) Steele, Luke Sanders, and Justin Sanders; her four great-grandchildren and one great-greatgrandchild. Services were held on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of God in Eureka. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.