Elden Leroy Sanders , 83, Minot, died on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 in a Minot hospital.

Elden was born on April 30, 1934 in Waterford Township of Ward County north of Minot to Donovan and Gertrude (Taul) Sanders. He was reared on the family farm and educated in Waterford Township School through eighth grade prior to graduating from Minot Model High School in 1953. Elden was employed at Putz Excavating from 1950-1953 until he began with the Great Northern Railroad as a carman.

Elden married Darlene Bunker on November 6, 1955 in Minot. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in March of 1957 and served until February of 1958. In addition to his employment with the railroad, Elden farmed in Waterford Township until 2004. He retired from the Burlington Northern Railway in 1985. After retirement from the railroad he owned and operated Sanders Grain Hauling Service for many years.

Elden was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge, Eagles Aerie, and Moose Lodge, all of Minot, and served as a Boy Scouts leader. His hobbies and interests included hunting, curling, travelling, and spending time with his family.

Elden's loving family includes his wife of 61 years, Darlene; children: Terry (Janet) of Minot, Rick (Carole) of Minneapolis, MN, Todd (Teresa) of Apache Junction, AZ, and Lori (Mike) Pellenwessel of Minot; 13 grandchildren to include: Jason, Matthew, Jenna, Jared, Steven, Ian, Troy, Danielle, Rebecca, Jacob, David, Nathan, and Kaitlyn; 7 great grandchildren to include: Grace, Zoe, Allie, Cole, Evelyn, Victoria, and Micah; brother: Jerry (Joan) of rural Minot; sisters-in-law: Janet Berg and Sandy Sanders; and many nieces and nephews.

Elden was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Donovan, Larry, and an infant brother: Terry; sisters: Marilyn Lillegard, Fannette Jensen, Montez Nett, and Meredith Mathwich.

Celebration of the Life of Elden Sanders: Monday, June 26, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Sunday, June 25, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Bethany Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Association.