Ora Marie Sanders

Ora Marie Sanders passed away peacefully on November 16, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at Lutheran Sunset Ministries in Clifton, Texas at age 86. She was born on March 4, 1938, in Cranfills Gap, Texas, to W.W. and Emma Wiese and was baptized on May 15, 1938, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, beginning a life grounded in faith, family, and community.

Ora married her lifelong partner, Henry, at 18, embarking on a journey that would span 63 years. Together, they built a life centered around farming, family, and shared values. Ora worked alongside Henry, cultivating their land and raising eight wonderful children. She loved the hard work of farming, from hauling grain to nurturing her garden, and spent countless hours canning produce to share with her family and others. Ora poured her heart into everything she did, nurturing her family with the same care and dedication she put into their land.

Ora and Henry also shared a deep commitment to supporting youth in their community. They were both active supporters of the Central Texas Youth Fair Association, championing the agricultural youth of Bosque County. They took immense pride in watching their children and grandchildren grow through their fair projects, believing in the importance of fostering strong values and skills in the next generation of farmers and ranchers. For Ora and Henry, the fair wasn’t just an event; it was a chance to encourage and invest in the future of their community.

Known for her warm spirit and hospitality, Ora often showed her love through baking. Her kitchen was filled with the aromas of homemade cakes and desserts, treats she prepared for friends and family as a gesture of her boundless kindness. Her legacy of service, love, and strength will be cherished by all who knew her.

Ora was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Laura Bell Kelm, her daughter, Lisa Dawn Sanders and her beloved husband of 63 years, Henry. She is survived by her brothers Kenneth Wiese, Billy Wiese, sisters Gertrude Gunn and Tilly Marbut. By her children: William Sanders and wife Donna, Janet Evans and husband Jimmy, David Sanders, Betty Gardner and husband Brett, Virginia Anderson and husband Gary, Johnnie Sanders, and Christopher Sanders and wife Michelle. She also leaves behind 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, each a cherished part of her enduring legacy.

A funeral service to honor Ora’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clifton, Texas, at 2:00 pm, with burial following at Clifton Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation at Clifton Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The family requests that memorials be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Hospice Ministries.