Wilma H. Sanderson

Oct. 11, 1910-Dec. 21, 2004

LEXINGTON -- Wilma H. Sanderson, 94, of Lexington, formerly of Arapahoe, died Tuesday (Dec. 21, 2004) at Tri-County Area Hospital in Lexington.

She was born Oct. 11, 1910, to George and Hattie (Chitwood) Carpenter in Franklin. She attended school in Franklin before moving to Edison. She graduated from high school in Edison. She then attended La Du Beauty Academy in Kansas City, Mo., and was one of the first licensee's in the state of Nebraska for beauticians. She operated a beauty shop in Arapahoe.

In 1936, she married Merlin Sanderson. After living in California during World War II, they moved back to Oxford to work with his family on the farm. After her husband Merlin passed away in 1975, she moved to Arapahoe for a number of years before moving to Lexington to be closer to her family.

She was a member of the PEO in Arapahoe and the First United Methodist Church in Oxford and later in Arapahoe.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Merlin; granddaughter, Brenda Casteel; and 11 brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her son, Newel and wife, Diana Sanderson of Lexington; daughter, Sandra and husband, Bruce Swan of Weston, Conn.; one granddaughter; six step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Services are Monday, 1:30 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Arapahoe with the Revs. Onamae Waddel and Lana Dake officiating. Interment is in the Oxford Cemetery in Oxford.

Visitation is Sunday, 1-9 p.m., at Wenberg Funeral Home in Arapahoe and prior to services at the church.

Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe is in charge of the arrangements.