John William Sanders Sr.

John William Sanders Sr., 84, of South Sioux City, NE, passed away May 4^th, 2023 after a brief illness.  A memorial mass will be held Tuesday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in South Sioux City.  Visitation will be Monday from 5-7:00 p.m. at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery.  Online condolences may be made to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

John was born on June 18, 1938 to Elmer and Marie Sanders.  He went to school in Jackson, NE and Heelan High School for 3 years, then graduated from South Sioux City High School.  He entered into the United States Army in 1957, and was honorably discharged in 1959.  He served in the Iowa Army Reserves for 4 years.  John joined the South Sioux City Police Department in 1968 and worked his way up the ranks to captain.  He retired after 27 years.

He was united in marriage to Judith Dziurawiec on December 18, 1976.  To this union two children were born.  After retiring from the Police Department he was hired by the U.S. Marshal Service as a contract deputy for the Northern District of Iowa for 18 years.  He was also the owner of John’s Pancake Co. for 44 years.  He was elected to the South Sioux City Council six times and served 24 years to the present.  John was a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Church and was on parish council.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Judith Sanders; daughter Jennifer Sanders; son, John Jr. and his wife Alicia; granddaughters: Sophia and Emma Sanders; brother, Raymond Sanders; brother and sister-in-law’s: Sharon Sanders, Gerald Thomsen, Jim and Jerry Dziurawiec, Cindy (John) Joyce; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Rosie Tipton, Rita Carper, Barbara Thomsen; brother, Hank Sanders; and his baby granddaughter, Faith Sanders.