Vicky Sanders

Viola Bessi Lee Sanders December 4, 1935 – November 8, 2025

Vicky Sanders, 89 years young, passed away peacefully at Stone Cottage Nursing Home in Sigourney on November 8, 2025. She said she was ready to meet  her God. Cremation has occurred. A private scattering of ashes will take place at a later date, no public service is planned. 

Vicky (with a y as she’d always add) was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 4, 1935, to Anna Belle (Kling) and Edward W. Roth (Rothka). She was the second oldest of six children: Ronald, Vicky, Leah, Judy, Annebelle and Thomas. On her 9th birthday her father left the family, and the 5 oldest children were sent to foster care homes, a boy’s school and baby Annebelle was put up for adoption. Her father had been a cook in the United States Army. Her mother was a housewife; her parents late reconciled and little Tommy was born. The family came back together for a time. Her parents later divorced.

As a teenager she went to Jones Commercial School and proudly got her GED later in life. She had funny stories about working in a chocolate candy factory, reminding me of an I Love Lucy Show. Vicky was 16 when she met and married Elmer R. Kube Jr. on January 2, 1953, after turning 17. He was drafted by the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a Corporal, engineering equipment mechanic and maintenance. They raised two daughters: JoAnn and Debra. The couple later divorced after 4 years together, and Vicky became a waitress to raise her two young daughters. Two years later she married Ted Seymour. Along with his son Jim, they became a family. Following a dream to get out of the city of Chicago, the family moved in April of 1965 to Sigourney, Iowa and became the proud owner/operator of the A&W Root beer Drive in Restaurant. In the late 60’s Vicky and Ted divorced after nine years together. She again became a single Mom to her two daughters. She waitressed and then managed the local Tastee Freeze.

In 1971 she married Bill Sanders. They later moved briefly to Kansas and then on to San Diego, CA. They managed several large apartment complexes together. After nine and a half years they divorced. Vicky continued to manage until she turned 65 years old. While in California, she made many friends with her tenants who became more like family, sharing holidays and card games.

After retirement, she and her two best friends, thinking themselves like the Golden Girls, moved away from California’s expensive living, first to Texas and then to Alabama. Unfortunately life wasn’t so golden and in 2001 two of her granddaughters loaded up her belongings and brought her back to Iowa to live near family. Vicky enjoyed getting to know her great grandkids while living in Deep River. She also lived in Fairfield and Centerville before moving to the Sigourney Care/Windsors Place Assisted Living/Stone Cottage Care Center in November 2014.

Vicky was known for her quick smile but also for being outspoken. She had a strong work ethic and expected others to also. Her daughter JoAnn said she taught her to work hard and not to give up, that all things are possible. While not politically correct, she always said she’s “Free, white, and 21” so why couldn’t she. An example of her strong will was smoking until months ago even with COPD on oxygen. Vicky grew up in a time when you fixed broken things, rather than throw them away. She took pride in anything she bought herself including a beat-up car. She developed a knack for repairing things.

Vicky loved her daughters and thoroughly enjoyed her granddaughters when they were little. Living in California, while they grew up, allowed them to reconnect as adults when she moved back to Iowa. She enjoyed playing card games, Yahtzee, putting puzzles together, doing crossword puzzles, crocheting, making ponchos and blankets. While the granddaughters were young. Her circle of love expanded with two daughters, five granddaughters, 12 great and 10 great great grandkids (and spouses).

Vicky was proceeded in death by her parents, two brothers, two husbands, a baby daughter, and a grandson. She was sad to lose touch with many family members.

She is survived by her brother-in-law Richard (Rosa) Kube, Franklin Park, Illinois, her daughters JoAnn (George) Benson of Richland, IA, Debra (Mark) French of Allerton, IA, granddaughters Kristie (Brett) Maxwell of Big Cabin, Oklahoma, Amy (Leigh) Armstrong of Deep River, IA, Jamie (Joel Fleming of Grimes, IA, Amber (Richard) Trout and Crystal Phipps all of Allertown, IA;12 great grandchildren; and 10 great great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Stone Cottage, Everystep Hospice, and Holm Funeral Home for their loving care. Mom made many friends there. Today in heaven she is eating lobster, baked potatoes with extra butter and sour cream and a martini extra dry with an olive and she’s dancing to the music of Nat King Cole.

Mom, I love you more.

Cremation has occurred. A private scattering of ashes will take place at a later date, no public service is planned.

In lieu of flowers or cards, the family respectfully requests that in memory of Vicky, you perform an act of kindness for a friend or stranger in honor of her kind spirit and caring heart.