Kathryn 'Kay' Elizabeth Sanders, 85

Kathryn ‘Kay’ Elizabeth Sanders, 85

Kay passed away on Aug. 24, 2019, after a (thankfully) relatively short battle with cancer. She was born in Decorah, Iowa, to Fred and Freda (Josvanger) Womeldorf, on Nov. 25, 1933. Kay grew up in Decorah in a Washington Street home, where she graduated from Decorah High School and also attended Luther College for a short time.

Kay moved to Kellogg, Idaho, and stayed with her older sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Lowell Lund. It was there she met and married her first husband, James Freer. They had four children: David, John, Janice, and Robert “Bob.” James, through the ROTC program, joined the Air Force and they were stationed in various parts of the United States, Japan and Germany. While traveling in all these various places she met many new friends. However, in 1973, Kay moved permanently back to Coeur d’Alene, where, in early 1974, she met Earl “Bud” Sanders. They were married on July 13, 1974, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene.

While in Coeur d’Alene she worked for Patzer Oil, several banks and the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office, where she retired in 1995.

Together, in 1977, Kay and Bud built their first home in Sunrise Terrace. Their passions were tending a large garden and many fruit trees, feeding hummingbirds and going bowling. Kay was an avid bowler and competed in many state and national tournaments. Some of their fondest memories were bowling with Art and Betty Turner all over the United States. Kay was a longtime member of the WIBC.

In 1992, Bud and Kay built their second home on Maple Place, in Hayden. At this time of their lives they enjoyed fishing at Dworshak, Koocanusa, Hayden, and Coeur d’Alene lakes and reservoirs. They enjoyed traveling in their camper across many Western States and had much enjoyment on their several trips to Mexico.

Kay had many hobbies and interests, including knitting, felting purses, canning, the daily crossword and collecting. She collected Hummels, decorative plates, Snowbabies, and many different quarter collections. She was known for her extensive memory recollection and family history. Kay had a great love for all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Bud Sanders; children, Dave Freer, John (Tammy) Freer, Janice Freer and Bob (Katy) Freer; grandchildren, Larissa Freer Newton (Lonnie), Cody (Makel) Freer and Chad and Matthew Freer; great-grandchildren, Kinley, Olivia and Tyson; stepchildren, Phil Sanders and his children, Michael, Michelle and Lori (John) Mason; and numerous nieces and nephews. Kay was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Fran (Stan) Jeffers, Dorothy (Lowell) Lund and Marge (Neal) Davis and brother, Howard.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at Yates Funeral Home - Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., with a reception to follow. A graveside service is 2 p.m. at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family desires donations be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 or www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org.

Please visit Kay’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.