Elvera Anna (Thalmann) Sanders passed away at home surrounded by family on Friday, December 28, 2012. She was born May 17, 1927 in Ottertail, MN to the late Herman D. and Eleanora (Grefe) Thalmann. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, Ottertail, MN. After graduating from Henning High School in 1945, she traveled to Alhambra, CA where she was employed in the clerical field. On December 26, 1954, she married Bernard N. Sanders at the San Gabriel Mission. They returned to De Pere, WI in 1955 where they established their home. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in De Pere, where she was a member of the Ladies Guild, Altar Guild, and Bible Class. Elvera is survived by her husband, three sons David (Carrie) of Greenfield, WI, B. Wayne of Tuttlingen, Germany, and Mike (Julie) of Ottertail, MN; five grandchildren Erica (Daniel) Cross of Madison, WI, Ben (Esther) Sanders of Austin, TX, Valerie Sanders of Greenfield, WI, and Ida and Vera Sanders of Tuttlingen, Germany; two brothers Victor (Jackie) Thalmann of Grand Junction, CO and Roland (LaVey) Thalmann of Ottertail, MN; sister-in-law Janice Thalmann of Henning, MN; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Elvera was preceded in death by her parents, sister Elaine (Len) Cloutier, brother Loren Thalmann, parents-in-law Louis & Theresa Sanders, brothers- and sisters-in-law Charles (Gwen) Sanders, Sr. M. Ruth Sanders, Anna (Leo) Reinhard, Mark (Henrietta) Sanders, and Sr. M. Monica Sanders. The family would like to thank the staff at Unity Hospice and very special caregiver and friend Bev. Family and friends may call from 9:00 to 11:00 am Thursday January 3, 2013 at Hope Lutheran Church, 700 South Superior Street, De Pere. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday at the church with Pastor Poppe, officiating. Entombment in Allouez Mausoleum. RYAN FUNERAL HOME, De Pere is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Sanders family. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund has been established for Unity Hospice.