The late Ed Sanders honored with ride in GFD’s ‘Old Betsy’

   Retired Grinnell Volunteer Firefighter and former Associate Member, Ed Sanders, 76, was given a special ride to his final resting place at Westfield Cemetery south of Grinnell.
  The department’s 1913 American LaFrance ’Old Betsy’ carried Ed from Smith’s Funeral Home to Westfield Cemetery for his graveside services on Monday, July 20.
   Grinnell College Chaplain, Deanna Shorb, officiated the service.
  Grinnell Volunteer Fire Department members served as pallbearers and honor guard. Driver/Firefighter, Jed Petersen, played the bagpipes
  Following the service, Grinnell Volunteer firefighter / active association member David Thompson presented the family with a Grinnell Fire Department grave marker.
    Ed was a long-time volunteer firefighter at the Grinnell Fire Department and after retiring from firefighting duties, he served as an active associate member helping at the yearly fire prevention breakfast and other special events.
    Ed was born on June 9, 1944, in Montezuma, the son of Wendell Wayne and Betty Louise Sanders. He was raised in Montezuma and was a 1962 graduate of Montezuma High School. He later attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids where he took classes in drafting.
   On June 1, 1963, he was united in marriage to Gerri Burkett, at the Malcom Methodist Church. The couple lived in Grinnell where they raised their two sons. For many years, Ed was employed as an electrician at Grinnell College, while working part-time for Burkett Roofing Company. He later was employed with Midwest Lock Company in Des Moines and most recently as a driver for Wes Finch Auto Plaza. 
   Survivors include his wife, Gerri, son Mark Sanders, siblings, Harold Sanders and Jane (Kenny) Vargas and grandchildren, Breanna, Jena, Gage, and Jacob Sanders. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Matthew in 2010.
     The Grinnell Volunteer Fire Department and Associate Members extend condolences and sympathy to Ed’s family and friends and thank Ed for many years of dedication to the department and serving the community.

Photo & story submitted by Duane McClun.