James J. Sander, age 81, of Lemmon, SD, formerly of Bison, SD, passed away on Sunday, April 1, 2018 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial for Jim will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Bison, SD.  Fr. Tony Grossenburg will officiate with burial in the Bison Cemetery.

James J. Sander, Jim, son of Martin Sander and Elizabeth Fisher, Lizzie, was born in rural Perkins County, South Dakota on August 12, 1936.  He died on April 1, 2018 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, South Dakota surrounded by family.

Jim grew up on the home place and attended "Brushy" School, three miles from their home.  He walked to school every day if the weather wasn't too bad.  Jim's fondest memories were of helping his father fix machinery. Jim said that he will always remember his dad saying, "ONLY BUY SOMETHING WHEN YOU CAN PAY FOR IT RIGHT AWAY". Jim figured this is why they were always fixing SOMETHING!  Jim's Dad used to call him "babe". Jim and his dad's pastime was going to auction sales. Jim said "That's where all the junk came from I guess."

When Jim was asked what his Mom thought of it, Jim said that she wasn't too pleased with a twinkle in his eyes!  Jim said that he fondly remembered his mom cooking a good old German Food, Borsht. Jim's mom raised chickens which wasn't a favorite memory because "HE DID NOT LIKE BUTCHERING THEM".  Jim's mom and dad would spend time fishing around their place, usually for bullheads!  Jim said that he didn't like fish until he moved into the nursing home because they did not serve bullheads!  Jim said not having brothers and sisters growing up was sometimes lonely but in the summer, there was "Sister School", a vacation bible school taught by Nuns.  This was the time of the year when Jim had other kids in the house.  Mary and Connie Lesselyoung would stay with Jim's family.

Jim really enjoyed having other kids to play with. Jim remembered his grandpa living with them as his grandpa got older. Jim loved playing cards and visiting with neighbors and cousins.  He was always willing to lend a helping hand.  In 2007, Jim moved to Lemmon to an assisted living home.  When they closed the assisted living part, Jim moved into the nursing home.  Jim enjoyed  playing the Wii,          especially bowling.

Surviving are cousins too numerous to name and a special friend Pat.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Anna Maria in infancy.

A memorial has been established to the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, for new resident beds.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 followed by a Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.