Dorothy Aldine Sandaker

Dorothy Aldine Sandaker, age 82, of Spokane Valley, Washington died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Spokane Hospice South surrounded by her family after a long battle with cancer.
Dorothy was born in Sunrise, Wyoming on April 15, 1935 to Donald and Alice Durham. She was born the fourth of six children and spent her early years moving often as her father followed work. Her early life was difficult, but she loved the closeness she shared with her extended family. After graduation from High School Dorothy went to work as a waitress in a local restaurant and in early 1950's Dorothy and her mother went to California where they lived for a number of years before returning to Coeur d'Alene, ID.
In 1962 while working as a waitress in a restaurant in Coeur d'Alene, ID she met Carl A Sandaker and they courted for 2+ years before tying the knot on March 12, 1965.
Dorothy and Carl had 3 children: Charles A., Rondell L., and Martin C. Sandaker all of Spokane, WA.
The couple lived in and around the Seattle area for a few years where Dorothy stayed home and raised the boys and then they moved to the Rathdrum, ID area.
Dorothy and Carl's adventures took them and the boys to Montrose, CO in 1970. While in CO Dorothy became involved with the Cub Scouts and was elected Cub Scout District Commissioner, which was one of the achievements she was most proud of in her life. To supplement their income she worked the late shift at one of the popular police hangouts and so there wasn't much that her 3 teenage boys got away with.
Dorothy loved country ballads and you could always find her singing away out in the garden or canning so it was kind of fitting when the family moved from Montrose back to Washington in 1986 that Dorothy was called to become Stake gardening specialist for the LDS Church that they were attending.
Carl and Dorothy were always helping others and one of the ways that they helped out their community was to become members of CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams). She was so proud to be able to help out in the community.
Dorothy was always teaching someone something whether it was how to make bread, how to can corn, how to make lard (yes lard), how to can meat, emergency preparedness, food storage, etc. etc. etc. She loved passing her knowledge on to others.
In her later years Dorothy became pretty much house bound because of issues with a broken ankle and other health problems. She didn't get out much other than to go to church on Sunday, but was still willing to impart her wisdom and to teach anyone who asked right in her kitchen or on her dining room table.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Carl Sandaker and her sons: Charles (Chuck) A Sandaker, Martin (Marty) C Sandaker, and Rondell (Ron) L & Ramona (Ireland) Sandaker. Her Grandchildren: Aaron Sandaker, Leslie (Sandaker) Falkner, Cassandra Sandaker, Steven Sandaker, Tanya (Iwan) Tatman, Mauri Bracken, Alyssa Bracken. Her Great Grandchildren: Andrew Falkner, Natasha Tatman and Loralai Tatman and too many nieces, nephews and cousins to name. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Don, Sam and Charlie and her sisters; Ruth and Eileen.
Dorothy will be remembered as a bright, shining light in the various communities and churches she served. There will be a viewing for family and friends from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, July 28, 2017 at the Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home in Spokane Valley, WA. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 3:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, 13608 E Belle Terre Ave, Spokane, WA 99206, with the Bishop Thurber officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dorothy's name to Hospice of Spokane or the LDS Missionary Fund.
Dorothy's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the hospice caregiver's that came to the home and those that took such good care of Dorothy and family at Hospice House South.

Arrangements under the direction of Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home