Dennis Sander, 90, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Sunday, January 14, 2024, at his home in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 18 at 10:30 AM, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Shell Creek, with Rev. Dr. Chris Alexander officiating.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Thursday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church.  Military honors will be given in the church, immediately after the service by the American Legion, Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard.   There will be a family prayer service on Thursday at 10:15 AM at the church.  Memorials are suggested as those of family or donor's choice.

Dennis was born April 15, 1933, in Platte County, Nebraska, to Werner and Hilda (Feye) Sander.  He was baptized into the Christian faith at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, ELCA, rural Leigh, NE, and in 1947 he affirmed his baptism during a Confirmation service at the same church. He attended District 58 grade school in rural Platte County and graduated from Creston High School in 1950. Dennis married Alice Runge on June 16, 1957, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Shell Creek, ELCA.

Dennis helped on the family farm until April 1953 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served until April 1955.  After the service, he farmed until 1956, and then became employed with Habco Manufacturing until the company closed.  At that time, he became employed with Consumers Public Power District, which later became Nebraska Public Power District.  He retired in 1996, after 33 years of service at NPPD.  Dennis was on the school board for District 9 elementary school, and church council at St Johns.

He enjoyed fishing, gardening, raising chickens and sheep, watching sports, playing cards and horseshoes.  He supported his children and grandchildren with their FFA and 4-H projects.  He also enjoyed spending time with his family and attending grandchildren's activities.

Dennis is survived by:
Son: James (Jill) Sander of Columbus, NE
Grandson: Brian (Katie) Sander of Columbus, NE
Great Grandchildren: Josephine and Corinne
Granddaughter: Sara Sander (Chase) of Dodge, NE
Son: Michael (Amy) Sander of Rising City, NE
Grandson: Christopher (Emilee) Sander of Columbus, NE
Great Grandchildren: Max, Andrew, and Hadlee
Granddaughter: Hillary Sander of Columbus, NE
Grandson: Mitchell (Madison) Sander of David City, NE
Great grandchild: Sutton
Daughter: Lori (Timothy) Alvarez of Brighton, CO
Grandson: Joshua (Jordan) Alvarez of Windsor, CO
Great Grandchildren: Reese and Rory
Grandson: Jason (Yary) Alvarez of Lincoln, NE
Granddaughter: Tiffany (Trey) Farmer of Bennett, CO
Great Grandchildren: Walter, Oliver, and Theodore
Daughter: Diane Paczosa of Columbus, NE
Grandchildren: Brooke (Dawson) Moore of Billings, MT
Chase Paczosa of Columbus, NE
Morgan Paczosa of Columbus, NE
Son: Kurt (Nikole) Sander of Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren: Trenton Sander of Lincoln, NE
Madysen Sander of Lincoln, NE
Sister-in-law: Carylyn Runge of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law: Joyce Runge of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law:  Arthur "Art" (Kay) Runge of Duncan, NE
Sister-in-law: Ardyth (Ervin "Ted") Engel of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law: Arlynn "Butch" Runge of Columbus, NE
Many nieces and nephews

Dennis was preceded in death by:
Wife: Alice Sander
Parents: Werner and Hilda Sander
Brother: Melvin Sander
Sister-in-law: Lueva Sander Hellbusch
Brothers-in-law: August Jr (Sonny) Runge, Allen (Doc) Runge, Arlo Runge, Al Runge
Sister-in-law: Terrie Runge