Lynn D. Sanders

Lynn D. Sanders, 80, of Sparta, passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, La Crosse. Lynn was born February 3, 1945 to Everett Sanders and Mae Pulham, in Sparta; where he grew up working with his father and brothers in the family gas and service station.

Building and restoring hot rods was a passion of Lynn’s in his younger years, and he excelled at it. He graduated from Sparta Senior High School in 1963. He then married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Johnson, in October of 1963. Together, they had two sons: Mark and Matthew.  He proudly served the City of Sparta as a police sergeant in the 60’s and 70’s, before answering the call to the open road. He became an over the road truck driver in 1975. 

Lynn and Sharon then moved their family to Tomah, WI; where they were blessed with 30 plus years of marriage. Together, they enjoyed riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Lynn retired from truck diving after 31 years, as a proud Teamster, in 2006.

After retirement, he spent much of his free time building and flying radio-controlled airplanes, with the Sparta Area RCA Flying Club, where he made many good friends.

Lynn is survived by his son, Matthew (Lori); granddaughter, Kendra; brother, Gale (Carol); special friend, LeAnn Frank; mother-in-law, Joyce Johnson; sister-in-law, Kathy Sanders; brothers-in-law, Walter Meritt, and Douglas Mannel; many other relatives and friends; and his trusted cat, Kat.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon, in 1994; son, Mark, in 1997; parents; infant sister, Nancy; brother, Ron (Kathy); sister, Peggy (Walter) Merritt; father-in-law, Forest Johnson; sister-in-law, Pam (Doug) Mannel; father and mother-in-law, Arlis and Norma Lee Peters; nephew, Darren Schauf; and nephew, Ronald Sanders, Jr.

A Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta.

Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to Monroe County Animal Shelter or Tina's K-9 Rescue.

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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