Livestream of the service : Please go to https://youtu.be/R0a9o7OMRwY

To view the flowers from Darlene's service, click here: Darlene Sanders Flowers

Darlene Hope (Bunker) Sanders , 86, lifelong Minot resident, passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, in a Minot Nursing Home.

Darlene was born September 22, 1934, the daughter of Fred and Adelaide (Fimreite) Bunker. She was raised and educated in Minot, graduating from Minot High School in 1952.

Darlene married her high school sweetheart, Elden Sanders on November 6, 1955, at Bethany Lutheran Church. The couple settled in NW Minot where they raised four children: Terry, Rick, Todd, and Lori.

She left her position as a secretary/bookkeeper for the Minot Insurance Agency when her first child was born and pursued her true passion: being a loving wife and mother.

Together, Elden and Darlene owned and operated several businesses: a farm in Waterford township, a grain hauling service, and several apartment building rentals. Darlene's gift with numbers and her business acumen were an essential part of the team's success.

Darlene is best remembered as a very sentimental person who cherished lifelong friendships and was known for her ability to keep confidences. She was never one to like being in the spotlight or a crowded atmosphere. Instead, she preferred the closeness of friends coming to her home where the coffee pot was always on. As the kids, grandkids, and neighbors knew, you could always get fresh home-baked cookies at Darlene's. Everyone knew the door was always unlocked, and if you snuck in at the right moment, you might just be able to hear Darlene playing gospel music by ear on her piano.

Darlene was a lifetime member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot. Together she and Elden enjoyed collecting, traveling, creating family memories at their cabin on Lake Metigoshe, and most of all, spending time with her beloved grandchildren.

Darlene had an endless supply of warm tight hugs. What a celebration, the day she threw her arms around her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 62 years, Elden in 2017.

Darlene's loving family includes children, Terry (Janet) of Minot; Rick (Carole) of Maple Grove, MN; Todd (Teresa) of Apache Junction, AZ; and Lori (Mike) Pellenwessel, Minot; thirteen grandchildren to include: Jason, Matthew, Jenna, Jared, Steven, Ian, Troy, Danielle, Rebecca, Jacob, David, Nathan, and Kaitlyn; 10 great-grandchildren to include: Grace, Zoe, Allie, Cole, Evelyn, Benjamin, Victoria, Micah, Tyler & Levi; sister, Janet Berg, Minot; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Celebration of Life service: Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.   ** Masks are required and social distancing is recommended.
Livestream of the service : Please go to https://youtu.be/R0a9o7OMRwY

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Friday from 5:30-7:30 p.m.in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers or plants the family prefers memorials to Bethany Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Association.