Gerald William Sanders, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on January 26, 2026, at the age of 90, at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls under the care of Hospice. Gerald was born on February 4, 1935, in Thief River Falls, MN, to William and Mabel Sanders. Gerald attended country school and Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. As the oldest of the Sanders’ children, Gerald was a devoted son who made sure life on the farm kept running smoothly. He made sure the cows were milked and the animals were fed prior to going to school.

Once an adult, Gerald worked various jobs that sparked his interest, such as farming, singing in a band, and selling cars. He later worked at Northern Pride and for the City of Thief River Falls in the Park and Recreation Department. He loved anything to do with the outdoors. From mowing the grass, creating beautiful flower beds, or planting a garden, Gerald loved to be out in nature and enjoyed the wind on his face. In his later years, he enjoyed supervising at one of the outdoor warming houses. He loved interacting with the children and seeing their talent on the ice.

In 1973, Gerald met Marie Stanina, and they have been together ever since. Together, they raised two children whom they could not be more proud of. Gerald loved music and instruments and came to every band concert and summer marching band parade that his kids were involved in. He also loved going to the Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag, MN, every year. Collecting toy tractors became an annual ritual for him, and he looked forward to finding out what tractor was going to be highlighted the next year. Once he had grandchildren, going to Rollag meant staying in Detroit Lakes that same weekend and having a pizza and swimming party with the grandkids. He has looked forward to this annual party every year for the last 18 years.

His hobbies included deer hunting, ice fishing, fishing at Lake of the Woods in the summer, collecting coins, watching football, going to fall dinners with Marie at various locations in and around Thief River Falls, and keeping up with current events. On multiple Christmas Eves, when most men would be celebrating Christmas with their families, Gerald would spend his time delivering meals to the elderly from a local restaurant. Gerald had a heart of gold and always tried to help a neighbor or a friend in need.

Gerald is survived by his wife Marie, son Scott, and daughter Jaynae (Jason) Haugen, grandchildren Kaylee, Grace, and Matthew Haugen, brother DelRay (Diane) Sanders, sister Sharon Dawson, Brother-In-Law Jeff (Nancy) Stanina, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mabel and William Sanders, infant sister Marilyn Sanders, grandparents Sanders and Isaacson, Mother-In-Law Ann Stanina, Father-In-Law Walter Stanina, Sister-In-Law Sandra (Haven) Johnson, Sister-In-Law Shirley Stanina, and Brother-In-Law Gary Dawson.

A Celebration of Life will be held this Monday, June 22, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Burial will be at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery, following lunch.

We will forever be grateful for the doctors, nurses, Hospice staff, home health staff, EMS staff, first responders, and all the staff at the Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN, for the continuous care that was provided to Gerald in his last few weeks of life. They made sure he was comfortable and at peace while in their care.