Hugh Sanders, 85, of Sparta, died Saturday, January 28, 2006 at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, Sparta. He was born on June 13, 1920 in Sparta to Charles and Bertha (Gleason) Sanders. He grew up in the Sparta area.

     He married Lilas Alderman on March 7, 1944. They lived in La Crosse for a short time before moving back to Sparta. Hugh worked for the Milwaukee Road Railroad in Sparta, Modern Clean Up in La Crosse, and retired from Outers Laboratory in Brice Prairie. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was a mechanic at heart.

     He is survived by his daughter, Linda (Doug) Olson of Sparta; a sister, Betty Williamson of Phoenix, AZ, 3 brothers, Ernest (Helen) of Onalaska, Manuel (Carol) of Elroy, and Marvin (Darlene) of Machesney Park, IL; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Beulah Sanders of Mindoro, WI, Dick (Shelby) Weber of Lansing, IA, Harlan (Carol) Alderman of Waukesha, WI, Genevieve Hyche of Bessemer, AL, and Glida Unseth of Viroqua, WI; 6 grandchildren, Debbie (Olson) Primmer, Dan Olson, Dawn (Les) Myhre, Deneen (Kenric) Sorenson, Deanna (Lars) Leum, and Amy Olson; 9 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

     Hugh was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lilas, on June 15, 2001; a son-in-law, George Cravens; 3 brothers, Chris, Charlie, and Louis; and 2 sisters, Verna and Anna.

     Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, with Reverend Richard Abernathy officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by VFW Post 2112 will be in Farmers Valley Cemetery.

     Family and friends are invited to call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home on Monday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Tuesday at the funeral home from 8 a.m. until time of services. Memorials may be given to the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta.