Shirley A. Sander

Shirley A. Sander, age 57 of Hawley, Minnesota, died Friday, September 11, 2009, in her home. Shirley Ann Hovelsrud was born on March 31, 1952, to Melvin and Grace Ramstad Hovelsrud in Moorhead, Minnesota. She attended country school in rural Hawley for a short while before going to public school in Hawley. After graduating from Hawley High School in 1970, Shirley graduated from the Detroit Lakes Technical School for nursing. On September 25, 1976, she married Jim Sander in Rollag Lutheran Church. Together they had three children. Shirley's career was spent as a caregiver. She devoted her life to caring for others. Shirley and Jim lived in Phoenix, Arizona, from 1986-1999. While in Phoenix, she worked for Bryans Extended Care Center. She also worked at Frazee Care Center, St. Lukes Hospital, and most recently, Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead, where she cared for others since 1999. Shirley enjoyed being an active member of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion and enjoyed collecting cow figurines. Shirley's greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, especially her four precious grandchildren. Blessed be the memory of Shirley, she will be missed by those who knew her. She is survived by her husband, Jim Sander of Hawley, Minnesota; her mother, Grace Hovelsrud of Hawley, Minnesota; two sons, Chris Amber Sander and Michael fiancé, Katie Sander, both of Hawley, Minnesota; one daughter, Jessica Sander of Kindred, North Dakota; four grandchildren, Hope, Faith, Cora and Carson; one brother, Duane Kristi Hovelsrud of Hawley, Minnesota; two sisters, Deanna Duane Hogenson of Fargo, North Dakota, and Karen Bernie Barnett of Moorhead, Minnesota, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her dad, Melvin, two grandchildren, Areana and Ericka, and a god-niece, Emma.