Karen Sanders

Karen Elaine Sanders 78 Aunt Goose a.k.a. Granny Goose, Mother Goose, Kate, Kitten, Brownie Was called to her heavenly home to receive her reward on August 2nd, 2019. She passed from this life in her longtime home in Westminster, Colorado which was a principal wish in her final days. Karen was born to Chester Francis Teter 1909 of Macon County Missouri and Icle Irene Teter (Wahlert) 1902 of Morgan County, Colorado at 7:15 p.m. on March 16th, 1941 in their home at 437 Emerson Street in Denver, Colorado. When she was born she had three older siblings Maude Luella 1921, Francis Dean 1936, and Larry R. 1937. After Karen, Linda Rae was born in 1946 and heartbreakingly died one day later. 15 months afterwards, Vivian Kay was born in 1947. In earlier years the family lived in Denver, Westminster, Greeley, and Colorado Springs. Karen accepted the Lord as Her Savior, on August 3rd 1948, at the Greeley Baptist Church, and was baptized in the lake by Rev. Brown. Karen graduated from Westminster High School in 1959. In 1960 she moved to San Francisco, where she attended Mortuary Science School. She was the only woman in her graduating class, and one of only 3 women in the entire school. While in San Francisco she attended Hamilton Square Baptist Church, where she formed many lifelong friendships. She received her degree, and returned to Colorado.ighHHh June 15th, 1961 Karen married Duane Albert Sanders of Oregon. Duane was in the United States Air Force and stationed in Las Vegas. Duviean Elaine was born on March 28, 1963. After being honorably discharged, the family moved back to San Francisco, and Duane attended Mortuary Science School. After his graduation, the family moved to Fortuna, California where they both worked for Gobles Mortuary. They returned to Denver in 1963 and purchased their home in Westminster. Duane and Karen divorced in 1973. Karen’s longtime career of over 40 years was associated with the funeral industry, primarily in the Denver area, wherein she held many positions. She had multiple other occupations and businesses during her life. She most recently worked for Jefferson County Adult Education teaching English as a Second Language. Over 500 Foreign Exchange students lived in her home over the years The first student came in 1981 and the last one was in 2016. Part of their learning while in her home always included Christian principles and beliefs taught from the Bible. Karen was passionate about her relationship with the Lord and was a longtime member of Beth Eden Baptist Church originally located in Denver now located in Wheat Ridge. Karen was the Sunday school leader for a group of “little old ladies” who’s official name was the Joy Club. I believe it was Dan on Doug Mauldin that dubbed them the Street Gang. They took many trips, and had great fun. In 1990 they went to see the Passion Play and traveled around Europe. They all got matching, pink, Swiss army knives, now the street gang was armed…. They had always been dangerous. She sold and fitted prosthetic garments for women who had survived breast cancer surgery. She operated two Merle Norman studios and had cake and candy businesses. She also owned a shop in Wheat Ridge called “The Floral Specialist and Fruit Cellar” where Duviean and a certain nephew was reported to have been employees during the busy Christmas seasons helping with arrangements, building and delivering fruit baskets of epic quantities. Karen was always busy doing something. There wasn’t a lot of idleness in her life. It seemed as if she was always “doing flowers” and cakes for someone’s wedding delivered to the destination in a green Volkswagen Beetle. To watch the loading and or unloading of the amount of things that came from that car was borderline miraculous. It was like watching the clown car in the circus unload. She did the cake and flowers for many of the nieces and nephews weddings. She even did flowers for Duviean’s wedding, as if just being the Mother of the Bride wasn’t enough. A fond memory of Vivian’s was that she walked into the house one day before her wedding to see dozens of yards of lavender taffeta where Karen was making all the bridesmaids dresses. She made arrangements for family funerals. I remember her saying to other florists, “funerals are not the time to clean out your coolers of your older stock that is almost expired”. She was serious about preparing the finest flower arrangements for families during those times. I never knew my Aunt Goose to fear anything, even something that terrifies a lot of people and that is death. She helped so many people with understanding death. She co-wrote a book to help explain a difficult topic to children titled “Love Away My Hurt – A Child’s Book about Death”. She took the lead in both her parents’ funeral preparations. She gave the eulogy at her mother’s funeral which gave me the example and strength to speak at my own father’s funeral. She gave care to her mother (Granny) for several years as her health deteriorated. Prior to that when Karen was “on the road” selling her prosthetic garments, she would take Granny with her. They traveled extensively giving Granny the opportunity to see so many wonderful things and go so many places she otherwise would never have gotten to experience. Karen even traveled outside this country. Through all her travels, her favorite place on earth was Camp Eden and loved it more than any other place. She was the family historian. She had records of all our ancestry. Her home was filled with a rich family heritage she was so proud of whether they were photographs of family or family heirlooms and artifacts. She loved all of her family and enjoyed time with them from the big family reunions out between Last Chance and Limon Colorado or just visits with smaller groups for any occasion. She made it a point to go to graduations and weddings of the nieces and nephews. She used to somehow wrangle all, ten or so of us, up and take us to the Nutcracker Ballet in Downtown Denver. Several of that same cast also made the annual pilgrimage downtown to the St. Paddy’s Day Parade. On the back of a door in the old house is a record of so many family measured heights and the recorded date. Even her daughter’s name, Duviean is a compilation of Duviean’s father and Karen’s siblings’ names. Karen is survived by her daughter Duviean Elaine Smith and her husband Ron of Westminster. Her sister Vivian Kay Watkins and her husband Stephen Ray of Riverton, Wyoming. Sister in-laws; Nancy Lee Teter (Francis Dean) and Carolyn Ann Teter (Larry R). Seven nephews and 4 nieces; M. Jack Schneider, Francis Dean (Bud) Teter Jr., Matthew Lawrence Teter, Christopher (Christmas) Lowell Teter, Bradford Scott Teter, Carolyn Elaine Wiiliams, Linda Rae Gamber, Kelly Lynn Wicks, Kale Dean Watkins, Amanda Kay Nicholoff, and many cousins. Karen was preceded in death by her parents Chester Francis Teter 1971, Icle Irene Teter 1998, sisters Maude Luella Schneider 1992, Linda Rae 1946, brothers Francis Dean Teter 2007, and Larry R Teter 2014, and niece Shawnda Rae Watkins 2013. An excerpt from Karen’s book: “You may not think so now, but you will begin to feel better – soon. You will always miss the one who died, and you will never forget the happy times you had with that person. But one day the loneliness and sadness will not hurt so much. And you won’t feel so much like crying. And do you know what? If you let Him, Jesus will love away your hurt and sadness and you will once again be able to laugh, to sing, and have fun!” A memorial will take place at Camp Eden on Saturday, August 31st, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts to the family, please consider making a donation to Camp Eden in her honor.