Judy Sanders, 79

Judy R. Sanders, 79, of Missoula and Polson passed away due to COPD complications Nov. 26, 2023, at St. Joseph Medical Hospital with her daughter, Julyn, and friend Tola by her side.

Judy was born Sept. 27, 1944, to Pete and Thelma Holder in Duncan, Okla. She was an outgoing child full of spunk and life. She had stories of her childhood that she would love to tell of doing things none of us would think of doing today.

She graduated from Velma-Alma High School in Velma, Okla., in 1957. After high school she moved to Montana to attend nursing school. She went on to work as an LPN at a nursing home, a doctor’s office, and where she would retire, Cuddles N Care Daycare at St. Patrick’s Hospital.

Judy married Luther L. Sanders in Vernal, Utah, March 25, 1982. She and Lynn had one child, a daughter. They lived in Vernal until the following year when their lives would change due to Lynn being in an oil-field accident.

They then moved to Cheney, Wash., while Lynn was in the VA Hospital in Spokane. Later Judy moved her family to Missoula, where they bought their family home.

In Missoula, Judy took care of her family. She was Lynn’s wife, caretaker, and friend while being a mom, caretaker, and teacher of life to her daughter. Judy was very involved in her daughter’s life growing up. She was a classroom mom for many years, involved in field trips, was there for every holiday and party that was had. Being involved as she was, she would become a “second mom” to some of her daughter’s friends.

Lynn and Judy were married 14 years before he passed away in 1996. With this shock the “Sanders Girls” grew a bond of strength and love. These two would travel, share stories, laugh themselves to tears, call each other daily, fight but make up as moms and daughters do, and become true friends as they grew older.

Judy’s life changed drastically in July of 2021 when she welcomed her new title as Grammy to her granddaughter, Dalyn. It took 37 years for this blessing to come and Dalyn was the light of her life. No matter what was going on or how she was truly feeling she’d make sure she was there for her baby. 

She and her friend (Julyn’s mother-in-law, Sheila, were a babysitting tag team. They’d travel to Polson to take care of their girl. Judy will forever be Grammy and took in every second of every moment with this child.

She is preceded in death by parents and her husband, Lynn. Also, her fur babies Henry and Charlie.

She is survived by her daughter, Julyn (Dan), and granddaughter Dalyn of Polson; step-grandchildren Bryce of Missoula and Bailey of Polson; sister Sue Sisson (Richard) of South Dakota; and many extended family members and friends.

This is not all of Judy’s life. If you knew her – she was always busy, spunky, and full of life. She loved being around family/friends, laughing, telling stories, and just enjoying the company.

She was a caregiver until the day she passed. She took care of so many – taking them to appointments, to the store, making sure they always had what they needed. She even held their hands as they said goodbye to the world around them. She had a big heart, and you could feel it.

At Judy’s request she will be cremated by The Lake Funeral Home and ashes will be interned with her husband at the VA Cemetery in Missoula. No services will be planned. Instead, she wants everyone to go out and enjoy life. Think of her and smile, share a story and smile, do something for someone else and smile.

The family suggests that a memorial be made to your local animal shelter or animal rescue of choice. Her fur babies were treated as one of the family and they made her happy.

Julyn would like to say a special thanks to Judy’s friends Nancy, Tola, Sheila and Robert for all the extra love and support. Also, to St. Pat’s and St. Joe’s for their extraordinary care given to Judy and to the Village Rehab for putting up with her stubbornness and helping her to smile at times she needed it most. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.