Patricia Sue Sanders

Patricia Sue Sanders, age 71, passed away on January 13, 2024 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa, with her family present.

Pat was born on December 4, 1952 in Albia, Iowa to George and Elizabeth Biros, the youngest of four children. She attended Kindergarten in Ottumwa before moving with her family to Indianola, where she spent the rest of her childhood and adolescent years. She attended Simpson College before accepting a position with the state of Iowa as a parole officer. Pat married Brian Sanders on August 3, 1985 in Ankeny, and to this union two daughters were born, Amanda and Allison.

After being a stay-at-home mom up until Allison went to school, Pat started working at Dowling Catholic High School as a substitute teacher coordinator. This was the perfect position for her as she got to work with both the teachers and the students, as well as having summers and in-service days off to spend time with her girls.

Pat was an attentive mother, even after her children were grown. She loved her girls and taught them many valuable lessons about life. She enjoyed travelling and going on vacation with her family. Many memories were made on the car rides to Omaha, Minneapolis, various cities in Kansas, and even as far as San Antonio, Texas. Pat enjoyed reading, listening to music with her family, and playing cards and games.

Pat enjoyed talking to people, learning about them, and offering advice when needed. Pat always rooted for the underdog, and made it her life’s mission to help those that were lost, find their way. She also had quite the personality - she loved joking with people and was known to be very quick-witted, even with her family. She was also a lover of animals, having cats throughout her life, as well as German Shepherds after she and Brian started their family.

In the last few years, she made a point to have family dinners with Amanda and Allison and their families, including her three granddaughters. She always made sure she had the fixings for smores, should anyone want to have a fire on a summer night.

Pat is survived by her husband, Brian of West Des Moines; her daughters, Amanda (Ryan) Suhr of Windsor Heights, and Allison (Matt) McDonald of Urbandale; and three granddaughters, Kennadee, Emerson, and Rylee McDonald. She is also survived by her sisters, Joan (Steve) Silver of Ankeny, and Mary (Philip) Schmidt of Wichita, KS. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, and a brother, Joseph.

Pat was a kind, gentle, and wise soul. She made a positive impact on a lot of people; more than she could have ever known. Pat will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

Private services to honor Pat’s life will be held at a later date.

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