Frances Esther Sanders

Frances E. (Lepold) Sanders, born October 6, 1922 and died March 21, 2017. Graveside service will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 2 p.m., Mt. Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131 where she and her husband will be interred together.

Frances was born in Kansas City, MO, the only child of Albert and Edna Lepold. Raised in Jackson County, MO in an area later annexed into Independence, MO. Graduated in the 1940 class of Northeast High School then received training to work in the garment manufacturing industry. She worked at Donnelly Garment Company and H.D. Lee before marrying Walter A. Sanders in 1946. She and Walter had one son, Bill. Frances became a stay at home mom. During that time, she joined a Jackson County Extension Club and the Eastern Star (East Gate Chapter 367) with her mother. She enjoyed bowling in a women's league and was a member of the "600" Bowling Club. She was active in PTA at Fairmount Elementary and Van Horn High School and was usually a room mother.

In the mid 1950's , they purchased property at the Lake of the Ozarks and the family spent weekends and holidays at "The Lake". She went back to work after Bill graduated from high school and he entered the Army during the Viet Nam conflict. She worked at Fabricraft in Sugar Creek, MO and followed when the business moved to Blue Springs, MO and changed it's name to DVB, working there until she retired. She and Walter moved from Independence to their Lake home in 1995. Walter passes away in 2007 and Frances continued enjoying the Lake life with her friends and neighbors on "the point", playing cards and dice games and a glass of beer or wine as a "Sparkling Farkeler". She was a social being, going for walks with friends, shopping, riding the Jet Ski and roller skating with Jolie when she was in her late 60's.

In 2012, she had heart surgery and began spending winters at her son's home in Parkville, MO. In 2016, Parkville became her permanent address, where she enjoyed reading, Sudoku, playing cards and Farkel and watching Jeopardy.

She is survived by her son, Bill and daughter-in-law Nancy of the home; granddaughters Amy Wilkinson (Mike) and Jolie Walker (Aaron). Great grand children Rachel, Peyton, Dylan, Mikayla, Hudson and Asher, great-great grandchildren Paisley, Gracelyn and Braylin. Close friends Melba (Roger) Grohe, Dorothy Saunders, Jean Price, Kathy Evans and Laurabelle Wilcox.

She enjoyed life wherever she might be and helped us all smile a little bit more.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank all the neighbors and friends on the point that checked on her, took her to appointments, picked her up from the hospital, etc., allowing her to live in her own home for as long as possible and to the doctors, and staff at Meritas Internal Medicine and NKC Hospital Emergency Department and Surgery who tried to give her a chance to live another day. We appreciate your kindnesses and concern.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice.