Dixie Lee Sanderson, age 78, of rural Humboldt, IL passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, IL.

Dixie was born August 23, 1946, in Hammond, IN, the daughter of Wendell H. “Bing” and Mary A. “Polly” (Smith) Thieben. Her formative years were spent growing up in Loda, IL. On August 10, 1968, she married Ronald L. Sanderson at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buckley, IL.

She is survived by her beloved husband of fifty-six years, Ronald Sanderson of Humboldt, IL; their son, Joseph C. Sanderson of Mattoon, IL; and sister, Frances Purdy of Paxton, IL; brothers and sisters-in-law: Joanne Sanderson of Kirkland, IL, Linda Sanderson of DeKalb, IL, Mary Ann Bross of Clare, IL, Donna Guehler of Somonauk, IL, and Bob and Norma Wildenradt, Sycamore, IL; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Delores Stanislawski; and brothers and sisters-in-law: Frank Stanislawski, Reider and Wilma Watson, Ken and Lu Ann Baker, Walter Sanderson Jr., L. Gerald Sanderson, Elaine and Charles Lawrence, Joe Bross, Robert Guehler.

Dixie retired from the Arthur Community Unit School District in 2007. She was a member and had served as Treasurer of the Moultrie County Republican Women, was a member and Education Chairperson of Lawrence Riddle Unit 88 Mattoon American Legion Auxiliary, held memberships in the James Jones Literary Society, volunteered her services at the Veteran’s Admissions Clinic in Mattoon, and had been accepted to serve on the Honor Flight for Illinois Veterans.

Dixie was an avid reader and enjoyed family, dear friends and the woodlands surrounding their home.

The visitation for family and friends will be held Monday, June 2,2025 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938.

An additional visitation will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Anderson Funeral Home, 2011 S. 4th Street, DeKalb, IL 60115. The funeral service will immediately follow at the funeral home; Pastor Megan Vaughn will officiate. A committal service will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Creston, IL.

Memorials in her honor may be made to Lake Land College Athletic Foundation, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, Il 61938 or donor’s choice.