Ruth Mae Sanders

Ruth M Sinder Sanders was born April 10, 1938, in Forreston, Illinois, to Ray and Amanda Snider. She attended Arizona State College, where she met her husband, Frank C. Sanders. She received a BA and MA in Business Education from Arizona State University. She taught at East High in Phoenix, AZ, and when the family moved to Tustin, CA, in 1969, she taught at Mission Viejo High until 1981.

Ruth earned her private pilot's license and worked in their aviation business. When Frank was killed in an accident in 1990, Ruth took control of the family business. In 1993, she married Leonard "Sandy" Sanders (no relation). In 1995, with her two sons, Dennis and Brian, they moved the company to Eagles' Nest Airport, Ione, CA. Son Brian left the business in 2018. Ruth was still attending all board meetings, but her son, Dennis, and her granddaughter, Shannon Sanders Swager, with her husband, Joel Swager, are now managing the family business.

Ruth was active in the community, having served on the Sutter Amador Hospital Foundation Board and as a member of the Sutter Creek Women's Club. She served as treasurer for many years for the AAUW, Sutter Creek Woman's Club, and the Eagles' Nest Association.

She is survived by her husband Sandy Sanders; son Dennis Sanders (Marcia); stepson Steven Sanders (Laurie); stepdaughter Melissa Sheehan; granddaughter Shannon Swager (Joel); granddaughter Elise Sanders; granddaughter Katie Kendall (Dan); grandson Brenton Sanders (Tiffany); great grandchildren Owen and Wyatt Swager; William, Sophia and Benjamin Sanders; and Allison Kendall. She also leaves behind her son, Brian Sanders (Sue); grandsons, Chad Sanders (Loran) and Tyler Sanders (Jenny); and great-grandchildren, Joshua Sanders, Victor Sanders, and Abigail Sanders.

Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Daneri Mortuary at 10:00 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am.