Jennifer June Sauder

1957 - 2024

Jennifer June (Gramm) Sauder, of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away at home April 9, 2024, after a heroic battle with liver cancer. She adamantly declared that Jesus is the Victor and cancer is the loser. Her husband Tim and her five children were at Jenny's side in her last days – loving, laughing, crying, praying, and singing her into eternity. She is survived by her children: Erica Rose Sauder of Fort Wayne, IN; Kirsten (Justin) Wiegand of Escondido, CA; Andre (Chelsea) Sauder of Carlsbad, CA; Adam (Alyssa) Sauder of Lafayette, IN; and Raquel Ruth Sauder of Indianapolis, IN. She leaves behind eight treasured grandchildren: Ebba, Lena, Clara, Bennett, Edmund, Oliver, Cohen, and Arthur. Her stepmother Mary B (Gutwein) Gramm of Leo, IN and mother-in-law Marie L (Pfau) Sauder of Roanoke, IL also survive. Jenny was born September 27, 1957 in Bloomington, IL to Art and Ruth (Moser) Gramm. She was raised by Christian parents on a dairy farm near Chenoa, IL with her five sisters: Rebecca Gramm, Sally (Joel) Kaufman, Susan (Dan) Julian, Holly (George) Averbeck, Ellen (Mike, dec.) Baum, and one brother, Karl (Debbie) Gramm. Jenny grew up surrounded by a rich culture of faith and music. She had grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many cousins and friends who loved the Lord and worshiped together often. She had a smooth alto voice and had multiple verses of innumerable songs committed to memory. Jenny especially enjoyed singing with her sisters and children, and she shared her voice on several Christian albums. Just before graduating from Chenoa High School, on April 1, 1975 she surrendered her heart and life to Christ and she has followed Him throughout her years. Jenny and Tim were married on November 19, 1978 in Gridley, IL and lived in Urbana, IL where she graduated as an Occupational Therapist from University of Illinois. In 1985 they moved to Indiana where all her children were born and raised, and where she worshiped at the Apostolic Christian Church in Leo, IN. Jenny had a calm, fun, creative personality with abundant energy for hospitality. She was known for her philosophies: "Anyone, any number, anytime", "Clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy", and "If you need it and we have it, we'll share it". Over the years hundreds of people were blessed by the warmth of her home, from youth traveling across the country to foster children and foreign exchange students. She not only gave people a physical place to rest, but was also a safe place for many a weary soul. She met people where they were at, saw the best version of who they could be, and drew out potential they may not have even seen in themselves. Jenny also had an immense capacity for joy; she had a way of turning everyday moments into something fun and memorable. She deeply enjoyed beauty and adventure in creation which she shared with her children and grandchildren as they grew. She had extensive knowledge of the natural world, and led many nature walks with her kids and others–showing off the wonder of God's design in everything from a new spring flower to a little worm wriggling in the dirt. Jenny had both a talent and passion for gardening. She tenderly cared for her garden in the same way she cared for the hearts of those she fed. This love for nature was also mirrored in her love for art. From her knowledge of classic works to doing crafts with her children and grandchildren, Jenny was constantly finding ways to inspire beauty and creativity in those around her. Over the years, Jenny worked on the family farm, Hoerr Nursery, Carle Hospital, HopeBridge Therapy, and Parkview Hospital. More importantly, she homeschooled her children through 8th grade and was active in many of their activities, music, and sports in the home school community and at Leo High School. Jenny volunteered in various roles at church including Sunday School, VBS, and choir, and at Gateway Woods Family Services where she received The Proverbs 31 Award for women of Christian character. For 20 years she served as an after-hours phone counselor for A Hope Center crisis pregnancy ministry. Together with church friends in 1990, the Sauders founded an extended weekend Family Camp that included over 200 campers and continues to this day. In recent years, she volunteered as a mentor and MindCap therapist at Redemption House. Jenny was lovely, loving, and loved. Her heart's desire, highest hope, and fervent prayer for all of her family and friends is to live joyously together forever in the presence of the Lord. The funeral service is at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Leo Apostolic Christian Church, 11714 Grabill Rd., Leo Indiana, with visitation prior from 9:00 am - 10:30 am in the Fellowship Center. Visitation also 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm - 8:00pm, Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Fellowship Center. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to Gateway Woods Family Services or Redemption House. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.fairhavenfortwayne.com