Vivian Sander

Vivian Ferris Sander, 87, of Stillwater, died December 16, 2010. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, January 8, 2011 at the Highland Park United Methodist Church with Rev. Derrek Belase officiating. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater, OK.
Vivian was born on September 30, 1923 in rural Merrick County, Nebraska. She Attended a country school, and the high school in Central City, Nebraska, and earned the B.S. Degree in home economics from the University of Nebraska in 1946. She was united in marriage on July 28, 1946 to David A. Sander.
Vivian was an active mother and housewife with a keen interest and delight in raising her family. As Davids teaching career took him from university to university, the family moved to West Lafayette, Indiana in 1952 and to Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1957. In 1964, Vivian took care of the family--which had grown to four boys-- while David was back in Indiana on Sabbatical leave obtaining his PHD degree. She kept the family running and said that she, too, had earned a degree. Hers was the PHT for Putting Hubby Through. When Stillwater's First United Methodist Church helped start a new church in town, David and Vivian signed up as charter members in the new Highland Park Methodist Church on Stallard Street. They served as directors of the teenage youth group for several years and she was deeply involved with teaching small children in the Sunday church school, with the church's women's organization, and the general life of the church. She will be remembered for her dedication and ability. In addition to her church activities, Vivian took part in community service as den mother for 8 years as her sons went through the Cub Scout program, in little league sports, and other youth programs. When her youngest began junior high school, she was able to take a job with the seed testing laboratory of the Oklahoma Crop Improvement Association, which she held for 12 years, becoming an accomplished seed analyst. Her husband joined her there after he retired from OSU. Vivian's chief hobby was sewing, and using what she learned in 4-H and in high school and college, she was able to design and make much of the clothing for her young family. In later years, she joined and became active in Stillwater's Cimarron Quilter's Guild. A couple of her quilts won prizes at the Payne County Fair. In the final months of her life, Vivian suffered a great deal of pain from her deteriorated spine. She was often so heavily sedated that she slept a great deal, and her mind was often hazy. Our gracious Lord was kind to her, and took her home in painless peace. She is survived by her husband David A. Sander of the home; by her four sons, Douglas A. Sander and wife Nelda of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Keith D. Sander and wife Lynn of Boise, Idaho, Donald L. Sander and wife June of Newcastle, Oklahoma, and Glenn F. Sander of Sacramento, California. ; by one sister, Iris Metz of Central Point, Oregon; and one brother George Ferris of Grand Island, Nebraska.; three grandchildren, David E., James, and Russell Sander; and two great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents Lee and Eva Ferris, an infant sister, and two older brothers, Rexford and Elwin.