Lena Marie Sanders

Lena Marie Sanders, 79, formerly of Moss Road and a current resident of Bell Tower in Granger, Indiana passed on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

She was born November 23, 1943 to the union of Dorothy M. (Newlun) and Thomas L. Sanders. At the age of 10 she was adopted by Theodore Hojara. Lena was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Sanders; her foster sister Janis (Rupert) Sanders; maternal grandparents William and Lena Newlun; paternal grandparents James and Gladys Sanders; and many aunts and uncles.

Lena is survived by her brother, Jim (Sandy) Sanders; niece Dena (Jody) Sanders; three nephews, James Sanders, Tommy (Rebecca) Sanders and John Sanders; two great-nieces, Kelsey Sanders and Myah Sanders; one great-nephew, Thomas Sanders; many more cousins from the Indiana area; and her special companion, Toby (her small dog) who was adopted by Darlene Celmer.

Lena graduated in 1962 from the former Central High School. After graduation she begun working for the Associates Investment Company for twelve years. Over the years she worked for Canteen, Burger King and retired from Taco Bell.

She was raised in Immanuel Methodist Church. From 1962 to 1982 she attended different churches, teaching Sunday School, working with youth groups, and singing in choirs.

Lena attended IUSB and graduated from Bethel College in 1982 with degrees in Elementary Education and History.

From 1979 to 2000 she was a substitute teacher in the South Bend and Catholic Schools. She enjoyed making bookmarkers and passing them out along with stickers to the students she taught.

When growing up, she enjoyed the picnics her parents planned with their family and friends, and the four years she spent in 4-H. In later years she enjoyed the camping trips in the camper and the shopping trips she had with her mother.

She loved animals, always having dogs and cats.

While she loved all her pets, the ones she loved the most were the dogs her parents gave her for her birthdays, Laddie in 1949 and Penny in 1979. In 2003 she received Dixie, who was a gift from a friend, after her mother passed away. She had many cats, but the one that was always by her sided was a stray named Mitzi.

The family would like to thank Amanda Fisher and the staff at Bell Tower for taking such good care of Lena!

A Graveside Service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, April 21, 2023 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Memorial Contributions should be directed to the Hospice Foundation or Pet Refuge.

Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Posted online on April 18, 2023

Published in South Bend Tribune

04/18/2023 EJS