Connie M. (Peterson) Sanderson, Lansing, Iowa, formerly of Lynxville, Wis., 68, passed away on Jan. 27, 2016, in Lansing. She was preceded by her parents, Roy and Margaret Peterson, Eastman, Wis.; her uncle Erland (Rorie) Peterson, Milwaukee; aunt Dorothy Peterson, Madison, Wis.; uncle Curtis (Evelyn) Peterson, Madison, Wis.; uncle Arnold Peterson, Madison, Wis.; her sister-in-law Virginia (Peterson) Gunhus '55 (Larry) Gunhus, Decorah, Iowa; and her nephew Bruce Gunhus, Fort Worth, Tex.

Her survivors are her husband of more than 46 years, Harlan G. Sanderson '69, Eastman, Wis.; her sister Nancy (William Ng) Peterson, Winona, Minn.; her aunt Evelyn (Curtis) Peterson, Madison, Wis.; her sister-in-law, Shirley (Allan) Meister, Riverside, Calif.; and Shirley’s children Terry (Melinda) Meister, Colton, Calif., and Kathy (George) Williams, Oxnard, Calif.; and her brother-in-law Larry (Lois) Gunhus, Decorah, Iowa; and his children, Valerie Gunhus '91, Waukon, Iowa; and Kristi Lepa, Cresco, Iowa. Grand nieces and nephews include Alex and Nikki Meister, Riverside, Calif.; Anna and Scott Putnam, Hemet, Calif.; Shawn Melin, Chino Hills, Calif.; Brian Melin, Riverside, Calif.; and Beirgen Gunhus, Waukon, Iowa.

Connie was born Sept. 30, 1947, in Madison, Wis. She graduated in 1969 from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and married Harlan on June 21 that same year. She taught French and English (including literature, composition and creative writing classes) for 27 years at South Winneshiek High School in Calmar, Iowa, before retiring with her husband in the countryside by the Mississippi River near Lynxville, Wis.

Connie was a gentle soul, who loved nature – wildflowers, gardens, birds, butterflies and animals of all kinds. She was a poet whose work appeared in numerous literary magazines, and in 1996, she received the Jade Ring Award for Poetry from the Wisconsin Regional Writers’ Association.

There were no visitation or funeral services. Memorials in her name may be submitted to the organization of the mourners’ choice. Condolences may be left at www.graufuneralhomes.com.