Patricia Ann Sanders, 95

Patricia Ann Sanders, 95, passed away Nov. 8, 2016, at her home in Kalispell.

She was born Aug. 9, 1921, in Clifton, Arizona, to Harry and Katherine Martin. She was raised in Clifton until she was 14, then moved to Los Angeles.

Patricia graduated from Pasadena High school and went onto get her teaching degree at UCLA. She married Ralph Sanders in 1961 in Kalispell, and they were married for 41 years until his death.

After graduation, Pat was a PE teacher as well as a swim coach at Hemet High School in Hemet, California. Pat and Ralph had many adventures running a water taxi on the Colorado River as well as a commercial harvesting company from 1948 to 1952. They spent a winter working at the Grand Canyon hauling guano from the bat caves. After that they moved to the Flathead Valley and started pig farming in 1960. Their farm eventually became Farm to Market Pork, which they sold in 1977.

Pat was a member of a group called the “Golden Girls.” She was also an active member of the Bonnie West “Primetimers” group.

She was always busy with something. She loved gardening, canning, fishing, hunting, travel, combine races, dog sledding, laughing and playing with her best friend (her dog Tillie). Pat was also a card playing fool.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Sanders; father, Harry Klingler Martin; mother, Kathryn Mary Smith; and her sister, Helen.

She is survived by her sons, Bob Sanders and Tom Sanders and Dave Sanders; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place and Pat’s ashes will be spread with her best puppy, Tillie. A celebration of Pat’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday Nov. 14, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. To send a note of condolence to the family please visit www.buffalohillfh.com.