Loretta I. Sanders, age 83, of Keokuk, Iowa; passed away at 12:37 pm on
October 1, 2020 at Royal Oaks Care Center in Kewanee, Illinois. Loretta
was born on April 4, 1937 in Kahoka, Missouri and is the daughter of
Ernest E. and Minnie I. Rittenhouse Young. Loretta’s early life was
spent in various places as the family moved about several times. Loretta
married Attie L. “Sandy” Sanders in the 1960s and he passed away on June
2, 1975. She and Sandy lived in Keokuk, Iowa until his death; both
obtained their General Education Degrees after their marriage. Loretta
remained living in Keokuk until a few months before she died.
Loretta was a homemaker in her own home and raised her family. She was employed by Sheller Globe Automotive Part Manufacturing in Keokuk, which later became BTR (British Tire and Rubber), from which she retired. Loretta was an avid reader and studied to become an Emergency Medical
Technician. She loved wildlife and all animals and loved to walk and was
known to put in miles a day. She also loved to play solitaire. She is
survived by her daughter, Lorna R. Blackford and Robert of Monmouth,
Illinois and her son, Vincent D. Sanders of Ankeny, Iowa. There are five
grandchildren, Bryce V. Blackford and Natalee, Evelyn M. Blackford,
Matthew L. Blackford, Benjamin R. Sanders, and Evan L. Sanders. There
are three great grandchildren, Jackson A. Blackford, Judd B. Blackford,
and Joel C. Blackford. There is one sister, Joan Huston in Washington,
Iowa surviving. Preceding Loretta in her death are her parents and husband.
Cremation is being accorded as per her wishes. A private family
graveside service is being planned at the Keokuk National Cemetery in
Keokuk, Iowa at a later date. Memorials in memory of Loretta may be made
out to the Humane Society. To leave a remembrance or for more
information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com
