Roger Sanderson

Roger K. Sanderson, 76, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away January 1, 2017 at his home. He was born October 4, 1940, to Wendell Carrier Sanderson and Daisy Harris Sanderson of Idaho Falls. During World War II his family moved around the northwest while his father worked on various government projects. After the war they returned to Idaho Falls to establish their family roots. Roger attended Eagle Rock Elementary, Hawthorne Elementary, O. E. Bell Jr. High School, and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1959. In high school he was active in band and very passionate about Boy Scouts. Roger’s father was his scoutmaster and they earned their Eagle Scout Awards at the same time. He attended Ricks College for one year and then attended Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colorado, where he graduated with a degree in gun smithing. Though his love was in handcrafting custom rifle stocks, Roger then joined his father in the family business, American Plumbing & Heating. In 1973, he officially took over the family business as full owner, and operated the business until his retirement in 2007. Roger served as First Counselor in the 39th Ward Bishopric for five years. He also served as secretary and President of the Sunday School and later served in the Stake Sunday School Presidency. In 1967 he met his sweetheart, Shirley L. Jensen. They married May 11, 1968, in Shelley, Idaho. On August 6, 1977, they were sealed for time and eternity in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. This union was blessed with five children, Teresa, Annette, Eric, Cody, and Darick. Roger spent his free time camping, hunting, and "jeeping" around Lemhi, Idaho. He particularly loved bird hunting, especially with his dogs. He loved to spend time outdoors with his family, taking his children and grandchildren on trips to the many different lakes around their favorite camping spot. He made many memories fishing, hunting, and just enjoying God’s creations. Roger will be remembered for his great sense of humor and for being a tease and prankster. Roger is survived by his wife, Shirley, his children, Teresa (Saul) Sanchez of Kuna, ID; Annette (Jeff) Widdison of Ammon, ID; Eric (Megan) Sanderson of Idaho Falls, ID; Cody (Amy) Sanderson of Idaho Falls, ID; and Darick Sanderson of Selah, WA; sisters, Patricia Cazier of Idaho Falls, ID; and Beth (Phil) Grunland of Westlake, CA; 24 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Douglas Edgar Sanderson and Kenneth Sanderson. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2017, at the Idaho Falls LDS Church at 1345 Clarence Drive, with Wade Hillebrant, counselor in the 39th Ward Bishopric, officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in New Sweden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund, c/o LDS Philanthropies, 1450 North University Ave, Provo, UT 84604, or online at http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/donations/ or to Primary Children’s Hospital, P. O. Box 58249, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, or online at https://give.intermountainfoundation.org/primary-childrens-hospital .

Funeral Services will be held