JOANN SANDERSON

JoAnn Laree Sanderson, 69, died Dec. 15, 2001, at Providence Alaska Medical Center of complications after heart surgery.

A gathering of family and friends was Dec. 22 at Abbott Loop Community Church. Mrs. Sanderson was born July 30, 1932, in Sunset, Wash., to Jewell L. and Lois T. Brown. She received her education in Washington until she married Allen F. "Sandy" Sanderson. They moved to Alaska in 1959, living in Anchorage and Big Lake.

In 1994, Mrs. Sanderson moved to Bellingham, Wash., returning to Alaska earlier this year to be closer to her children.

Her family wrote, "JoAnn had many special interests and qualities, but most important to her was the well-being of her family. Each spring she and her sisters enjoyed each other's company at Canon Beach in Oregon. She was the heart and soul of her family and gave them the foundation to build their families on. She was loved as much by those close to her as she loved them in return."

Mrs. Sanderson was preceded in death by her father, Jewell Brown.

She is survived by her mother, Lois Brown; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Lou and Harold Lyman, Donna and Dave Miltenburger and Alex and Mike O'Donnell, all of Washington; her ex-husband, Sandy Sanderson, of Anchorage; children and their spouses, Toni and Rick Poe, Mark and Doris Sanderson Sr., Chris and Dana Sanderson, Wendy and Terry Hite and Kirk and Kathleen Sanderson; 17 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, extended family members and her closest friend, Joanne Markus, of Anchorage.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to a charity in Mrs. Sanderson's name.

Mrs. Sanderson's wish was to be cremated. Arrangements were made by Kehl's Mortuary.