Irma Matilda Sander, the daughter of Henry and Emma (Brinker) Snyder, was born December 20, 1907, at her parents' home in Breda, Iowa, and died April 19, 2008, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa, at the age of 100 years, 3 months, and 29 days.
Irma was baptized and confirmed at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Breda. She attended St. Bernard's parochial school in Breda through the tenth grade then she had to quit school and go to work to help support her family.
Irma met Marvin Sander at the Five Mile House near Arcadia, Iowa. They enjoyed dancing and spending time together and on Christmas of 1930 they were engaged. On April 7, 1931, they were united in marriage. Three children; Milo, Lois, and Barbara were born to this union.
They lived in Manning, Sac City, and Carroll, before settling in Audubon in 1944.
In 1949, they purchased Sandy's Cleaners in Manning which they operated until Marvin's death on April 2, 1950.
Irma continued to live in Audubon. She opened her home to boarders and worked as a seamstress. She worked for Kraft Clothing for several years then was employed at Jensen Clothing until she retired in 1989.
Irma enjoyed her home then moved to the Friendship Home in Audubon in September of 2005.
Irma was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Audubon.
Her main interest has always been her family. Because her home was in close proximity to the school, she enjoyed a special relationship with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. After school they would walk over to Grandma's house for conversation and of course a special snack. She did a lot of her own sewing and crocheting. She enjoyed playing cards for many years with the Linger Longer Pinochle Club.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband Marvin were her son Milo Sander; her great-granddaughter: Paige Carlson; her parents; her brothers and sister: Elmer Snyder, Vincent Snyder, Raymond Snyder, and Florence Schoeppner; and her sisters-in law: Laura Groteluschen and Florence Jensen.
Survivors include her daughters: Lois and husband Clark (Sam) Kauffman of Audubon and Barbara and husband James Carlson of Atlantic, Iowa; her daughter-in-law: Nancy and husband John St. Clair of Bellevue, Nebraska; her grandchildren: Mark and wife Lori Kauffman of Story City, Candy and husband Tom Chambers of Hamlin, Kathy and husband Blane Kerkhoff of Audubon, Michele and husband Paul Nielsen of Hamlin, Scott and wife Danielle Sander of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Carol and husband Bob Dishman of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and Mike and wife Pat Carlson of Atlantic; her great-grandchildren: Matt (Nikki) Kauffman, Ryan (Ali) Kauffman, Kelli (Levi) Beroth, Samantha, Nicole, Meredith, and Olivia Chambers, April (Scott) Brand, Sara, Joy, Aaron, Blair, and Brad Kerkhoff, Dane, Lexy, Dylan and Derek Nielsen, Meghan and Daniel Sander and Nico and Nina Mundo, Mindy, Molly and Sarah Dishman, Garrett, Haley, and Hannah Carlson; her great-great-grandchildren: Taryn, Taylor, and Xander Kauffman, Lukis Beroth, Emma Brand and Jackson Kerkhoff; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The casket bearers will be: Mark Kauffman, Scott Sander, Michael Carlson, Tom Chambers, Blane Kerkhoff, Paul Nielsen, and Bob Dishman.
Kessler Funeral Home in charge of services.