Mary L. (Slaven) Sanders, 96, of Iowa City, formerly of rural Ottumwa and Kalona, passed from this life on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. A graveside service will be held Monday, November 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Barnes City Cemetery, in Barnes City, Iowa. A general memorial fund has been established. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Mary Louise Sanders was born August 17, 1930, in Gibson, Iowa, the daughter of O.S. “Bud” and Mary E. “Bessie” (Stanley) Slaven. She attended Gibson Consolidated School, graduating at the head of her class in 1948. That summer, she attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and earned an elementary teacher’s certificate, teaching for one year in a Poweshiek County country school.

She married Max D. Sanders on August 29, 1948, in Barnes City, Iowa, where the couple lived until they moved to Gibson, Iowa. From there they moved to Butler, Iowa, in 1958, then to Highland Center in 1962, ending up in Wapello County, where they lived for 41 years. Mary worked as a bookkeeper at Highland Elevator in Highland Center for a few years, then worked at Selective Service in Ottumwa from 1967 to 1971. She began her career with the Social Security Administration in 1973 and retired in 1992. Mary and Max enjoyed several winters in Texas, until he died in 1997. Mary belonged to the Country Quilters and joined the Kalona Alpha Club after moving to Kalona in 2003. Her interests included quilting, puzzles, reading, and collecting frogs.

Survivors include three sons: David S. (Connie) Sanders of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Douglas A. Sanders of Iowa City, Iowa, and Drew E. (Charnell) Sanders of Pella, Iowa; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Mary in death were her parents, her husband Max, her son Donovan, daughter-in-law Cindy Sanders, and three sisters: Grace Dugger, Helen Molyneux and Eva Hamilton.