Zola Baker Sanders Obituary (1920 - 2009)

Zola Baker Sanders, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, age 88, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was born December 21, 1920 in Sugar City, Idaho to Melvin L. and Mary F. Baker, the third of four children. Her father was a master mechanic working for various sugar beet mills in Idaho and Montana, but most of her growing up years were in Missoula, Montana. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States Mission, where she met her future husband, Melvin G. Sanders Sr. She was an active member of the LDS Church serving in many positions, mostly in music. She had a beautiful soprano voice, and as a young girl, she and her mother would sing together at funerals and church functions. She was a talented musician and played the organ, piano and violin. She and her husband also served together in the Salt Lake Family History Library and Boston MA missions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She lived in Alaska for much of her adult life. She was an avid backpacker and amateur photographer with an eye for beauty, and loved to be in the Alaskan outdoors, hiking, picnicking or camping. She taught in the elementary schools in Alaska for many years. She is survived by her husband; four children, Linda Patterson, Nancy Baker, Melvin Jr.(Karma), and Patti Allen; 15 grandchildren;18 great-grandchildren; and her youngest sister, Mary Monson of Seattle, WA. She was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Susan Sanders. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM in the Little Cottonwood 14th Ward chapel, 1160 E Vine Street, (6100 S). Friends and family may call Sunday evening from 6-7:30 PM at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State Street, and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Interment will be at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park. The family extends special thanks to Hospice for Utah for their loving and compassionate care.