Leta Louise Nye Sanders

Sanders, Leta Louise Nye died on August 3rd, 2015, after 99 years, four months and 23 days on this earth. She was a strong woman who lived a full life. Leta was born on March 10, 1916, the fifth of six children born to W.M. Nye and Hattie Brown Nye. She was predeceased by all of her siblings: Thelma, Rollie, Grace, Blanche and William Warren (Bus), as well as her parents. She grew up on a farm outside of Harper, Kansas, and lived with her grandmother in Harper during the school year. Leta graduated from Harper High School in 1934. At the 2012 Harper High School Alumni Reunion she was recognized as the oldest graduate in attendance. After graduation Leta entered nursing school at the Wichita Hospital on West Douglas. Her sister, Thelma, who had a good job at the telephone company helped Leta with expenses so she could attend school. After earning her RN, Leta returned to Harper and worked at the Joslin Hospital. It was during this time that she met Merle Jessie Sanders who worked at the service/filling station across the street from the hospital. Leta and Merle were married on August 9, 1941, and began their life together farming near DuQuoin, Kansas. Leta had a large vegetable garden, raised chickens, grew beautiful flowers, and was a great cook - she made the best apple pie ever. During wheat harvest she would take meals to the field, not just sandwiches but full meals! Her daughters thought this was great fun, but obviously it was a real undertaking. Merle and Leta had two daughters, Karen Sue and Mary Ann. Merle died in 1975. Leta continued to live on the farm until her brother-in-law, Earle Sanders died. She then moved to Wichita to be near her daughters and other family members, including Karen's pets of whom she grew quite fond and who were great company for her. She enjoyed Friday mornings out for breakfast with her daughters and she liked helping with the flowers on Karen's deck. Leta enjoyed robust health until July 2013, when she suffered a mild stroke. Her final decline leading to her death began on February 14, 2015. She had resided at Park West Plaza for the final few months of her life. The family appreciates her caregivers at Park West and also Good Shepherd Hospice. Leta was a lifelong member of the Harper Christian Church. She also belonged to the Friday Afternoon Club and EHU. She helped with her daughters 4-H activities and chaperoned high school FHA trips. After Merle died and before she moved to Wichita, Leta enjoyed lunches with her close friends, all of whom are now also gone. She was able to travel, including trips to Europe, Hawaii, Cancun, and Branson. Leta is survived by Karen Sanders-West. Karen's husband, Jim West, died in 2008. Mary Ann Wyant and her husband Mike. Leta was very fond of her sons-in-law, as they were of her. Other survivors include: her grandchildren, Saren Leta West (Raul D'Aquino), Mason Sanders Wyant, and Nicholas Nye Wyant (Kathleen); her great-grandchildren, Mason Sanders Wyant, Jr., Macy Jean Wyant, Jessie Ann Wyant, Alice Louise Wyant, and Henry Oscar Wyant. She is also survived by several nieces. Services for Leta will be held on Friday, August 7, at 10:00 a.m. at the Christian Church in Harper. Burial will be next to Merle at the DuQuoin Cemetery. Memorials in memory of Leta may be made to Lifeline Animal Placement & Protection Inc. (LAAP), or Botanica (The Gardens) or to the Kansas Humane Society and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003, is in charge of arrangements. www.prairierosefuneralhomes.com It seems such an odd task to attempt in a few short paragraphs to reflect on a long life well lived but we do the best we can to remember a wonderful woman, wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Leta will be missed and fondly remembered by her family and others who lives she touched. Be Kind to Animals, Be Kind to The Earth, Be Kind to One Another, And God will be Kind to You, And That's a Promise