Obituary for Mark C. "Bear" Sanders

Mark was born on September 23, 1960, and was welcomed home by Dad and Mom and sister, Carolyn. He grew up a happy boy on the homeplace in rural Mindoro with all the beloved pets and farm animals. He was baptized in the church with Uncle Harvey and Auntie Ann being Godparents. When the time came, Mark was confirmed into the same Lutheran Church that he loved. Uncle Harvey and Mark were in the church choir together and enjoyed that very much. Mark had a beautiful voice and later went on to perform with the La Crosse Barbershop singers. It wasn’t unusual, at home and in the car, for him to break into song along with the radio or music playing machines. He enjoyed all kinds of music.

Mark enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He very much loved seeing more of Wisconsin and our beautiful America whenever he could. Mark never knew a stranger. He only knew people he hadn’t met yet, and then they were, as he always said, “my good friend”! He enjoyed good food. He became a very good cook, like his mom.

As the years passed, health and mobility problems became worse. Mom and son became caregivers for each other; each one doing whatever they could to keep the homeplace going and to keep each other going. There were some very difficult times. The only reason they were able to stay home together, as long as they did, was because they did it together.

Mark is survived by his mother, Beulah; aunts, Ruth Donskey, Edwina Olson, Carrie and Uncle Bill Shultz and Aunt Virginia (Darlene) Sanders; and many, many cousins and friends.

He will be greeted in Heaven by his dad, Charlie; his sisters, Karen and Carolyn; and his grandparents, Charles Sr. and Bertha Sanders and William and Ethel Shultz. Also waiting in Heaven are 39 beloved aunts and uncles, we wanted to name each and every one, but we know who and where they are, and also cousins and last, but not least, Mark’s “best friend in the whole world,” Ricky. Mark missed Ricky until the very end. Many times, he said, “I wish Rick was here.”

We thank each and every one of the family and friends who have brought a bright ray of sunshine into the past dark 8 months. The support has been extraordinary. The love and kindness will never be forgotten. To Ricky’s sister, Wendy, our heartfelt appreciation. This day for Mark and Beulah, relatives and friends, would not be possible without you and Ricky.

In accordance with his wishes Mark will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on September 15, 2023, at Halfway Creek Lutheran Church, rural Holmen. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m., until the time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the family.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

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