Bernard Sanders

Bernard "Bernie" Sanders, age 72, passed away July 1, 2013 at KC Hospice House, in Kansas City, MO, 22 years after receiving the gift of life with a heart transplant.Bernie was born March 6, 1941 in Estherville, IA to Urban and Ferne Sanders.   He was raised on a farm in Spirit Lake, IA, attended St. Joseph's Catholic School and graduated in 1959 as Salutatorian from Terrill High School.  There Bernie met Sharon Anderson and they were married on June 3, 1961.Bernie attended college at Iowa State University and received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Agricultural Business in 1963 and 1965.  Bernie continued his education, working toward his Doctorate and in 1966 was selected by the Ford Foundation to teach Agricultural Economics at the University of Chapingo in Mexico.  He took 3 months of Spanish in advance of the assignment so he could teach his students in their native language.  Upon returning to the U.S. in 1967, he completed his thesis on "The Effects of Agricultural Pricing Policies in Mexico". After college, Bernie taught Economics at Oklahoma State University where he had the opportunity to speak at Farmland Industries' Annual Meeting.  He was soon recruited by Farmland and after 3 offers finally accepted a position in 1968.  Bernie stayed with Farmland for 35 years, retiring in 2003 as Sr. Vice President and Corporate Secretary.Outside of work, Bernie enjoyed traveling.  He made it to 49 states, just missing Delaware and visited Mickey Mouse with his family numerous times.   He was an avid gardener and landscaper, loved all books on history and watching movies.He was also involved with his family, serving as an Indian Princess and Webelos Leader, football and t-ball coach and serving on the Plattsburg School Board.  After retirement, he volunteered at Hillcrest Ministries and St. Luke's Northland Hospital and served as a Platte County Election Judge.Survivors include his wife Sharon of the home, son Scott Sanders of Liberty, MO, daughter Susan (Greg) Strong of Kansas City, MO, daughter Lora (Mike) Hales of Plattsburg, MO, daughter Linda (Chris) Caplinger of St. Charles, MO, daughter Melissa (Brad) Conger of Olathe, KS and 16 grandchildren.  He is also survived by siblings Judy (Chuck) Lewis, Bill (Jan) Sanders, Jean (Gregg) Toland, Joan (Dean) Hansen and Marla Sanders and many nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held Friday, July 5 at 2pm at Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home, followed by a reception at 3pm at Mount Moriah's Interment Chapel.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Bernie to the KC Hospice House (kchospice.org) or the Midwest Transplant Network (mwtn.org).

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