Wilma B Sanderson was born August 7, 1927 at home in Albany, Oregon to Amos C Gerig and Lydia B Gerig. She grew up on a farm and was third from the youngest of 10 living brothers and sisters. Two other siblings, twins, had died at childbirth. They were a devout Mennonite family.
Wilma attended a one room schoolhouse through 8th grade. As a young woman she completed a mennonite nursing program in LaJunta, Colorado and began a lifelong career ultimately as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She acquired her GED and completed a Practical Nursing program in 1969 at Mt. Hood Community College. Wilma was third in her class and one of the first graduates in that program. Wilma worked for Providence Hospital in Portland, Oregon and Dwyer Hospital in Milwaukie, Oregon. It was as a nurse in Lebanon, Oregon that she met her future husband, Orval Sanderson.
Orval and Wilma were married August 11, 1951. They were married until his death July 28, 1994 and had 4 children; Diane Bishop, Debra Sanderson, Douglas Sanderson, and Denise Goding. After getting married, they joined the Methodist church and Wilma was a member of the Rockwood United Methodist Church.
Wilma loved to sew, knit and crochet but particularly to make quilts and needlepoint pictures. Her needlepoint pictures were treasured by everyone who saw them. She made over 50 of them in her lifetime and, after giving most of these away to her family and friends, she was surrounded by those most treasured in her room. In spite of macular degeneration, which had taken her eyesight, she was working on a quilt during the final 8 months of her life. This final quilt was a source of great love and inspiration by many. Visitors fondly remember how she engaged them in threading needles for her, something she could no longer do. Although Wilma struggled with arthritis, her hands were never idle as she was always making something, usually to give away to her family. She enjoyed playing games with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, but she particularly loved putting puzzles together, playing cards and bingo with other ladies where she lived. Wilma also enjoyed playing her organ and singing hymns. One of her favorites, played often on her organ, was “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”.
Wilma was loved and admired for her loving kindness and determination to live life to its fullest until the day she passed on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at the age of 93.
Wilma is survived by her brother, Percy Gerig, her children, Diane Bishop (Larry), Debra Sanderson, Douglas Sanderson, Denise Goding (David), three grandchildren and seven great grandsons.
Wilma is predeceased by her husband, Orval Sanderson, 11 siblings, and her parents.
A burial and memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 17 at 2 pm at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 11801 SE Mt. Scott Blvd in Portland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following:
Guide Dogs for the Blind, Oregon Campus
Donations can be made online at guidedogs.com Click on Make a Summer Gift to access donation portal.
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Oregon
Donations can be made online at namior.org Click on donate at top of page to access donation portal.
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