Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) Gerald William Sanders, 90, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, died on January 26, 2026.
He died at Sanford Health in Thief River Falls.
Life in Thief River Falls
Sanders was born on February 4, 1935.
He spent his life in Thief River Falls.
He attended country school and Lincoln High School.
Family members said he loved the outdoors.
He enjoyed mowing lawns and planting gardens.
He also built flower beds and cared for them.
Work and Community
Over the years, Sanders held several jobs.
He sang in a band, farmed, and sold cars.
He also worked at Northern Pride.
He later worked for the City of Thief River Falls.
He served in the Park and Recreation Department.
In later years, he helped at an outdoor warming house.
He liked seeing kids skate and play hockey.
He enjoyed talking with families there.
Music, Travel, and Traditions
Sanders was a steady supporter of music.
His family said he went to many band concerts.
He also attended summer marching band events.
He often traveled to the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag.
Collecting toy tractors became a yearly tradition there.
His family said the trip grew into a long-running reunion.
Those gatherings included time with his grandchildren.
They often shared pizza and swimming parties.
The family said the tradition lasted about 18 years.
Hobbies and Local Life
Sanders enjoyed deer hunting and ice fishing.
He also fished during the summer at Lake of the Woods.
Learn more about the area at Lake of the Woods Tourism.
He collected coins and followed football.
His family said he also liked going to fall dinners with his wife.
They enjoyed talking about local events and news.
Survivors and Those Who Died Before Him
Sanders is survived by his wife, Marie Sanders.
He is also survived by his son, Scott Sanders.
He is survived by his daughter, Jaynae (Jason) Haugen.
His grandchildren are Kaylee Haugen, Grace Haugen, and Matthew Haugen.
He is also survived by his brother, DelRay (Diane) Sanders.
He is survived by his sister, Sharon Dawson.
He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Jeff (Nancy) Stanina.
The family said many nieces and nephews also survive him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mabel Sanders.
He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Marilyn Sanders.
He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Sanders and Isaacson.
He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Ann Stanina.
He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Walter Stanina.
He was preceded in death by sisters-in-law Sandra (Haven) Johnson and Shirley Stanina.
He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Gary Dawson.
Service Plans and Thanks
A Celebration of Life is planned for June.
The date and location will be announced later.
The family thanked doctors, nurses, hospice staff, and home health staff.
They also thanked EMS and first responders.
They thanked the staff at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls.
The family said the care helped keep him comfortable.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Prayers being sent to the family, loved ones and friends sorry for your loss.