Obituary of Geraldine LaVerne Sanders

Geraldine (Gerry) LaVerne Bentley / Sanders, age 92, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2022.  She was born July 2, 1930 in North Loup, NE to Leon and Helen Sperling.  She grew up in rural Nebraska on farms until she went to business school in Lincoln, NE. where she met Robert (Bob) E. Bentley whom she married May 23, 1948. Bob proceeded her in death in 1991.  Gerry and Bob had 5 children, Norman (Diana), Cairo, NE, Robert L. (deceased 2015), Mark (Bonnie), Loveland, CO, Cindy Haag, Loveland, CO, and Donald (Shirley) Henderson, NV.  The family moved with Bob’s job to several towns in Nebraska, Missouri, and Colorado. The family settled in Loveland in 1961.  Gerry worked for Johnson’s Publishing until her retirement.  One of her greatest joys was celebrating family events. 

After Bob Bentley passed, she found new love with Paul Sanders whom she married in 1992 and gained three stepchildren, Paula, Colorado Springs, Connie (Vince) Vaughn, Greeley, CO and Conrad (Pam), Sellersburg, IN.  Gerry and Paul were able to travel and see many places in her retirement until Paul’s death in 1999. 

In her later years Gerry was able to continue traveling with family to New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Nicaragua, and many trips to Nebraska spending time with her siblings and their families.

Gerry loved playing cards and would take on all willing players.  She took great pride in her yard and garden which was the envy of all.  Gerry loved to spend time with her friends and family, including her 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren. 

Gerry is survived by 4 of her children, her brother Bob Sperling (Grand Island, NE) and sisters, Patricia Moss (Wood River, NE), Kay Stoppkotte (Chapman, NE), and Lynda Johnson (Chappell, NE). 

Gerry was proceeded in death by husbands Bob and Paul, son Robert L, her parents Leon and Helen, brother Melvin, and son-in-law Timothy Haag.

Please join us in celebrating her life October 15, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church 815 E 16^th St Loveland, CO. Service is at 3:00 PM with viewing starting at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Pathways Hospice or Zion Lutheran Church.