Roberta Irene Youmans Sanderson

Roberta Sanderson, 92, of Kansas City passed away March 1, 2023 at North Care Hospice House after suffering a stroke.  Roberta was born in Kansas City, MO to Rev Raymond O. and Gladys “Irene” Brian Youmans on December 5, 1930, along with her twin brother, Robert. She had 5 brothers and grew up in a home filled with love. They lived in an apartment over her dad’s publishing company, Raymond O Youmans Publishing CO in downtown KCK.  She attended McKinley Elementary and Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, KS graduating in 1948 where she developed a lifelong appreciation for education.

Roberta attended Kansas State University and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics Education. Her first teaching job was in Hamilton, KS where she met her future husband.  She taught at several schools near Hamilton before taking a break from teaching to be home with her children.  After moving to Grandview, MO she had a long and fulfilling career as a Home Economics teacher.  She earned a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling at UMKC and was a Counselor with the Hickman Mills School District for many years. She was named the Greater Kansas City School Counselor of the Year for the 1991-1992 school year.  Roberta loved her students and made a positive impact on many lives throughout her career. She retired in 1995 after 30 years of service and was able to spend more time with her husband and family.

Roberta married Dallas Sanderson at London Heights Methodist Church in KCK on June 28, 1953, and had a beautiful 53 year marriage until Dallas’ passing in 2006. Roberta and Dallas lived in Grandview, Missouri where they raised their two children before moving to Smithville, MO after retirement. She most recently lived at Tiffany Springs Assisted Living in Kansas City.  The family has much gratitude for the care she received there, especially by her favorite caregiver Janice. The family would also like to thank the staff at North Care Hospice for their loving care and support in her final days. 

Roberta was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. She would often play the organ when she was younger and taught Sunday school for many years. She served in many ways at church including as a board member and leading small groups.  Her faith was very important to her. She was also a member of PEO International where she formed lifelong friendships with like-minded, philanthropic women. She was a member and served as President of PEO in Belton, MO and was a Charter Member of Chapter NI in Smithville, Missouri where both her daughter and granddaughter became members also.  She received a PEO loan when she was in college and has said she would not have graduated without it.  She volunteered many hours at the Shepherd’s Center in Grandview and then the Northland Shepherd’s Center after she moved to Smithville.  She was also very active in the National Education Association and the NEA Retired where she was named Volunteer of the Year for Missouri in 1999. She was an amazing seamstress sewing most of her own clothing before she had children including her wedding dress. She also loved to paint and draw. Roberta loved to read, do word puzzles and was a huge fan of sports- especially her K-State Wildcats. 

She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt. Roberta never missed her children’s and grandchildren’s birthdays and enjoyed living near her daughter and grandchildren. 

Roberta is proceeded in death by her parents Raymond and Irene Youmans, her husband Dallas Sanderson, 4 brothers:  Raymond, Russell, Robert (her twin) and Roger Youmans, and special friend William Venable. She is survived by one brother, Ronald Youmans of Brookfield, WI, children: Sharyl (Brent) Smith of Kansas City, MO, and Michael (Sue) Sanderson of Rockaway Beach, OR; Grandchildren: Kyle Smith and Kristen (Bryan) Hansen; Tiffany Sanderson and Shea Dalziel; Great grandchildren: Zowie and Alex Sanderson-Hilterbrant and Olivia Hansen.

Services will be on May 6, 2023 at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 9555 N Oak Trfy, Kansas City, MO 64155 with visitation at 3 pm and a Celebration of Life at 4 pm.  Interment will be on May 7 at Janesville Township Cemetery in Hamilton, KS.  Donations can be made to PEO Educational Loan Fund online at:  https://donations.peointernational.org/peo-donation-elf                                  When completing the online form please give credit to NI\MO.  Donations can also be made to Children’s Mercy Kansas City, please enter Ward Family Heart Center in “Other Designation” on online form in honor of her great granddaughter, Olivia June Hansen at: https://support.childrensmercy.org/give/280980/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=na&c_src2=website

Donations can also be mailed to Children’s Mercy Department of Philanthropy 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, MO 64108 designated for Ward Family Heart Center in honor of Olivia June Hansen.