Esther “Swede” Sander (Rutz) passed away June 16, 2011 at Memorial Hospital in Hospice Care after a brief illness.
Swede was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who always put her family first.
She was employed at Del Monte in Toppenish for 30 years and was a long time member of Faith Lutheran Church in Toppenish.
Swede was born September 29, 1927 in Reis, Michigan, youngest of 6 children of John and Elizabeth (Beking) Rutz. She spent most of her childhood in Windsor, Colorado before moving to the Yakima Valley in 1939. She lived the last 25 years in Yakima.
Swede married Melvin “Pete” Sander on January 1, 1948 and they had 62 wonderful years together before he passed away in August 2010.
She was preceded in death by Pete, her son Michael, her parents, and 5 siblings.
Swede is survived by her daughter Connie (Tom) Pryse; granddaughters Jennifer (Mike) Galloway and Amy Waller; grandsons, Sean (Kerri) Ahlers, Mitchell Sander and Nick Sander; 5 great grandchildren: Tara, Samantha, and Ian Galloway and Jack and Lillith Ahlers as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
We all loved her so much and she will be greatly missed.
A Memorial Service will be held 1:00 p.m. June 21, 2011 at Faith Lutheran Church 61800 Highway 98, in Toppenish. There will be a time for coffee and memories immediately following the service. Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah is in care of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.valleyhillsfh.com
