JEANETTE SANDERSON obituary

SODA SPRINGS, Idaho - Jeanette (Grandma Cookie) Sanderson, 85, of Soda Springs, Idaho, and formerly of Havre, died Wednesday, May 12, 2004, of complications related to a hip fracture.

In keeping with her wishes, immediate cremation was completed and a family memorial service is being planned.

She was born on April 1, 1919,

to Henry

Hebert and Alice Bouchard Hebert on Fox Creek near Savage. Since her parents had recently immigrated from Ontario and Quebec, Jeanette started school without knowing English. Her quick reflexes found her winning her share of foot races. It's ironic that Jeanette's only other fracture was a broken finger, playing baseball with the boys. It didn't require a hospital visit, thus keeping her record clean for not being admitted to a hospital until she was 85 years old. Her musical family enjoyed getting together for close harmony with a variety of instruments. This life continued on into her later years, when she would play the guitar, organ and harmonize with her grandchildren.

Jeanette met Howard Frost Sanderson in Sidney at a roller skating rink in 1934. After a six-year courtship, they were married in Sidney on Thanksgiving Day, 1940.

Following the birth of their child, Terry, in Fairview, she was a stay-at-home mom until he finished grade school. She worked as a waitress at the Elk's Club in Havre, until she and Howard purchased Petrolane Propane Service of Havre. She then served as the receptionist and bookkeeper. Later she continued her role as Howard's right hand when they started a mobile home repair business.

After their retirement in 1982, they enjoyed traveling with friends in their motor home. Following the couple's move to Soda Springs in 1991, "Grandma Cookie" continued to single-handedly fix lavish meals for her visiting family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 61 years, Howard Sanderson in 2001, and three sisters and a brother.

Survivors include her son, Dr. Terry (Beth) Sanderson of Soda Springs; sister, Delia Maslowski, of Sidney; three granddaughters; two step-granddaughters; two great-granddaughters; and one step-great-grandson.

Memorials may be made to the Staff Fund of Caribou Memorial Hospital Living Center, Attention: Donna Gyde, 300 S. Third W., Soda Springs, ID 83276.