Cheryl A. Sanford

CHERYL ANNE (Berner, Albers) SANFORD, age 88, of Lakewood, died August 26, 2018.

Cheryl, the daughter of Harry E. and Ruth S. (Rasmussen) Berner, was born in Oxford, Nebraska, September 18, 1929. The family left Nebraska in 1934, during the depression and the dust bowl era and moved to Colorado. Cheryl attended schools in Denver, Englewood, Holyoke, Ft. Morgan and Arvada. She graduated with the "Redskins" class of 1947, from Arvada High School.

Cheryl married Arden D. Albers, Sr., November 2, 1947. In 1948, they would travel to St. Louis, Missouri, where Arden received training at the College of Mortuary Science. Upon graduation they returned to Arvada, moving into an apartment at the Albers Funeral Home. Cheryl and her husband would assist in the operation of the funeral home.

Two children were born of this marriage, Joyce and Arden, Jr. In July, 1962, Arden became ill and died of liver cancer. At that point in time Cheryl, as a single mom, would seek other employment. She received more education, taking courses in accounting, and became an employee in the Department of Administration for the State of Colorado. She retired in 1987, after working for the state for 22 years.

In 1973, Cheryl met John H. Sanford, who was a co-worker of her daughter Joyce. After dating for three years she and John were married. They did some traveling and decided to see the country in a recreation vehicle. In 1986, they bought their first motor home and began to travel throughout the USA. They have traveled in all but one state, Delaware, as well as Canada and Mexico.

Cheryl was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Master, Beta Sigma Phi, the Jefferson County Janes Democratic Organization, the Danish Sisterhood, Ellen Lodge No. 21, and the Foothills Genealogy Society.

Cheryl loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She also loved working with young people and was a Sunday School Teacher, 4-H leader, Job's Daughter Choir Director, and a Girl Scout leader for many years. She was quite an artist too. She worked with ceramics, counted cross stitching, candy making, and made special cakes for family birthdays and other celebrations. She enjoyed gardening and her eyes lit up when the Iris were in full bloom.

Cheryl's health has not been good for several years. In November 2017, she was hospitalized. While there she was diagnosed with Advanced Dementia and transferred to a skilled nursing facility and later to a Memory Care center.

On March 24, 2018, her husband John moved her to their home in Lakewood, where she would be on home hospice. He would take care of her with the help of a part time caretaker until her death on August 26th, of Pneumonia.

Survivors include her husband John, daughter, Joyce (Chuck) Wilson of Lakewood, son, Arden D. (Jan) Albers Jr., of Westminster, a step-son, Michael (Diane) Sanford, of Lakewood, 5 grandchildren: Barbara Anderson, Lakewood, Carol Wilson, Lakewood, Amy Albers, Westminster, LCOL, USAF, Ryan (Erica) Sanford, Las Vegas, NV, and Justin Sanford, Aurora, 6 great grandchildren: Joseph (Renee) Garcia, Commerce City, Dominick Wilson, Lakewood, Hannah Anderson, Lakewood, Jacob, Madeleine and Naomi Sanford, Las Vegas, NV and two great great grandchildren: Josiah and Juliet Garcia, Commerce City.

She is also survived by her sister, Phyllis Goodner, of Sterling, Colorado, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Andrew Jorgensen.

She will be missed!

Memorial Service, Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Lutheran Church of the Master, 14099 West Jewell Avenue, Lakewood, CO.

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