Dr. Mary Sanderson, Jim Elder, Sandy Sanderson
Stanley C. Sanderson was born and raised in the farming community of Osage, Minnesota. In 1911, at the age of 21, he accepted a job with the recently formed U.S. Forest Service as a temporary guard in Choteau, Montana and in 1914, he and Beatrice Jefferson of Choteau were married. During the next nine years he completed Forestry School in Missoula, and was promoted to various positions in western Montana. Daughter Rosalea was born in 1915, and son Herbert (Bud) in 1918—both at Blackleaf Ranger Station. 1923 brought another promotion—this time to the Coeur d’Alene Ranger District, and the family moved into a small home on the southeast corner of 9th and Lakeside. They later purchased a home on the northeast corner of 9th and Foster (702 9th), a home where they lived for over 50 years. Stanley considered it one of the most beautiful locations in town.
Stanley was promoted to assistant supervisor of the Coeur d’Alene National Forest in 1927, and then administrative assistant. He turned down further promotions, preferring to remain in Coeur d’Alene, a community and region he had come to love. After 40 years with the Forest service, he retired in 1955, and began a second career in real estate.
Stanley and Bea were very active in the Athletic round Table (ART) and were instrumental in persuading the ART to purchase the “Little Red Church” (Fort Sherman Chapel) when it was near being torn down. Stanley was also active with the city recreation and very involved in the development of Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Course.
Herbert and Rosalea both attended Central School, Coeur d’Alene Jr. and Sr. High School—Rosalea graduating in 1933, and Herb in 1936. Rosalea was one of the first students to attend the new North Idaho Junior College. She completed her college at the University of Idaho. In 1941, she married Robert N. Elder, son of Robert H. and Janie Elder (see Elder Family). Rosalea raised Robert’s son Robert Jr., and had two additional sons—James Sanderson and William Thomas Elder. The family home was at the northeast corner of 10th and Sherman.
Rosalea has a long history of community activities including…
Herbert attended the University of Idaho graduating with a degree in business and completing ROTC. He began Law School in 1941, but left to serve as a Naval officer during World War II. While in the Navy he was the executive officer on LST 464, serving time in the Philipines, Leyete, and South Pacific.
After the war he completed law school at the University of Idaho. In 1947 he returned to Coeur d’Alene and joined W. F. McNaughton in his law practice, and one year later married Frances McNaughton, daughter of Wm. F. and Mamie McNaughton (see McNaughton family history). Herb and Frances had two children—Stanley McNaughton, 1950, and Mary Anne, 1951. The family home was next to the McNaughton home at 1221 Ash Avenue in the Sanders Beach neighborhood.
Herb was well regarded as an expert in mining law and active in Rotary. Fly fishing was a great love, and from his experience growing up working in the Coeur d’Alene National Forest, his knowledge of the rivers and drainages was unequaled.
Frances died in 1983, and Herb in 1995. Both are buried in Forest Cemetery.
Stanley (Sandy) and Mary both attended Harding Elementary School, Coeur d’Alene Jr. and Sr. High Schools, and North Idaho College. Sandy is well known in downtown Coeur d’Alene, working many years at Dingles Hardware and Harvey’s Clothing. He completed an electrical journeyman’s course and is a partner in STAR Electric. In 1985 he married Holladay Worth Simmons and has continued to reside in Coeur d’Alene. He is admired for his expertise and generosity in sound systems for civic events.
Mary graduated from Washington State University, completed post-graduate work at Eastern Washington University, and Medical Technology School at Deaconess Hospital. After working at Kootenai Medical Center for a couple years, she returned to school, attending the University of Washington Medical School. Graduating in 1985, she completed a residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Hawaii. She returned to Coeur d’Alene in 1994 to practice medicine and continue a family tradition of being involved and caring about Coeur d’Alene.
