Nancy Sanders

Nancy Rose Larsen Sanders was born February 26, 1939 to James Jule and Pearle G. (White) Larsen on the family farm in Rawlins County near Chardon, KS, and died March 25, 2016, at the age of 77. Nancy was the youngest of nine children, one of whom survives her, Frances Smith of Colby. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her siblings, Mildred Jones, Glenn, Dorothy Schippert, Earle, Ruth Brickley, Norman, and Dean.

Nancy Rose and Howard John Sanders were married in 1959 and ceaselessly collaborated in the literary arts. After teaching in college, the two lived north of Colby, KS. While working on her higher education their son, John Shattuck (Shad), was born in Salina, KS and daughter, Jamea Jule, was born in Manhattan, KS.

Nancy received an English B.A. with a minor in Home Economics from Kansas Wesleyan University, an English Education B.S. with remedial reading certification from Kansas University, & a M.S. in Learning Disabilities from Fort Hays State University.

Nancy taught English and Reading in the Colby Middle & High Schools and soon established a strong Learning Disabilities and Special Services program. Her work was enriched through active membership in the Council of Exceptional Children and in Phi Delta Kappa. After 29 years in the Colby schools, she retired from teaching and pursued her writing in earnest.

Nancy’s love of writing resulted in 6 published novels under the pen name Nancy Larsen-Sanders: All Stubborned Up and the 5-book “Earth’s Memory Series”: Mourning Dove’s Message, Women with Backbone, The Marrow of Life, For the Duration, and Sky Bird. Nancy loved to sew, quilt, garden, and to camp in Colorado. She was a member of the Colby United Methodist Church, Midland United Methodist Cursillo community and was active in the Colby Writers Club, Kansas Authors Club, and Pike’s Peak Writers.

Nancy guided her granddaughters Kayla Rose and Katie Jo to a love of literature and the creative arts. As with so many of her lifetime relationships, she encouraged them to pursue their goals with vigor and wit and to embrace life with an indomitable spirit.

Nancy is survived by her husband of almost 57 years, Howard John Sanders of Colby, son Shad of Mission, KS, daughter Jamea & son-in-law John Sale of Olathe, KS, granddaughter Kayla & husband Chris Hale of Tucson, AZ and granddaughter Katie Jo of Olathe, KS.