On Tuesday May 13, 2025 Irene Coleman Sanders transitioned to rest in her eternal home after a brief illness.

Irene was born January 16, 1937 in Dinwiddie, Virginia. She was the second child born to the union of Nelson and Viola Coleman. During her early childhood, the Coleman family relocated to Duluth, Minnesota and resided for many years at 432 East 10th Street. Fondly referred to as "The House". She attended Washington Jr High and Central High School. She learned to play the clarinet and regularly played for the Salvation Army.

She was an avid seamstress and once created two complete Barbie doll wardrobes for her daughters. And let's not forget those beautiful sweaters she knitted, but how could we…they were passed down through several generations.

In 1953 she met and married her husband Airman Edward C Sanders Sr from New Kensington. PA. After the marriage they started their family and many years of traveling with the Air Force.During this time of travel, they were able to experience life in many new surroundings throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

Following Ed's retirement in the military in 1972, the family settled back in Duluth. In 1975, after years as a stay at home mom to raise her family, Irene went to work in 1975 at the University of Minnesota - Duluth.

After Irene retired they returned to their life of travels. Enjoying life as "snowbirds". Annually traveling during the cold winter months in Minnesota to the warmer temps in Comfort, TX. She was quite proud of her co-pilot/navigator skills mastered during these winter escapes and the chance to again see the USA in the home on wheels.

In Comfort… she enjoyed a good life and made many new lifelong friends  with whom she  crafted. Once creating what are now considered family heirlooms…the likes of peek a boo dolls and beautiful Christmas tree skirts.

Following the passing of her beloved Edward in 2014, Irene relocated to Surprise, AZ. She purchased a home in a senior community and went busily about increasing her friend base.  She joined both a ladies putters group and a Bunco card group.

She was a regular member in attendance at Gideon Baptist Church.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, Mary, Lucille, and Mattie; brothers, Wesley, Nelson, and James.

Left to cherish her memory are her 3 children, Barbara (William) McReynolds of Surprise, AZ , Edward (Sophia) Sanders of Eagan, MN and Lyndia Sanders of Surprise, AZ; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Diana Kelly of Flint, MI and Lynnea Bailey of Atlanta, GA;brother, Michael (Theresa) Coleman of Minneapolis, MN; and a host of family and friends who will truly miss her warm smile and kind words.

Funeral Service to be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 6, 2025 at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, with entombment to follow next to her dear husband at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her memory to the Wickenburg Breast Cancer Network, Inc. (WBCN) cancer survivor walk she did annually with her team Irene's Incredible Inspiration. https://www.wickenburgbootsbreastcancer.org