Terrell R. Sanders, of Burwell, Nebraska. passed away peacefully with his wife, Janet by his side on Thursday, Sept.
10, 2026, at the Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell at the age of 93.
Terrell R. Sanders was born Nov. 3, 1932, at home in the Cummings Park Community of northern Custer County to Loyd W. Sanders and Tena P. (Hyatt) Sanders.
Terrell’s mother died on Jan.21, 1936. Terrell grew up on a ranch north of Taylor in Loup County. He attended one-room schoolhouses of Goldenrod School District #38 and Lone Star District #28 and graduated in 1950 from Taylor High School.
Terrell ranched and took care of the land alongside his wife, Janet of 34 years, on his own place north of Burwell, cutting his last cedar trees in May of 2025. In June of 2025, he moved into the Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell and was crowned the 2026 CMHC’s Rodeo Royalty King. On Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, the Calamus Cruisers Car Club honored Terrell with the 2026 Club Choice Award for his 1929 Model A Sudan.
Terrell and his wife Janet (Larsen) Sanders were married on April 18, 1992. They enjoyed ranching, branding time, cutting cedar trees, coyote hunting with dogs, deer hunting, going to flea markets, Husker football, the Model A to car shows and parades, and their traveling adventures.
Terrell judged at the Arcadia JR Rodeo Labor Day weekends working for Jim Trotter. Janet and Terrell enjoyed going to the Loup County Historical Society meetings where Terrell was a Lifetime member.
He worked at CMHC as a van driver. In the fall of 2022, Terrell joined the Friday evening pitch playing at the Burwell Senior Center.
Terrell married Shirley (Richardson) Hoover on June 2, 1971, in Ord. On that day, Terrell became Dad to Cathy, Cindy and J.D. To this union their daughter Terra Renee’ was born in December of 1973. Terrell and Shirley lived in Garfield County and on the Stanley and Amy Petersen’s place in Loup County. He served as a school board member for Loup County Public Schools. He served as a volunteer fireman for nearly 40 years on Burwell’s Volunteer Fire Department with his R3 firetruck and worked the scales at the Burwell and Ericson Sale barns. Terrell and Shirley enjoyed square dancing.
Terrell married Betty Jo Phillipps on Oct. 18, 1952, at her parents’ home in Burwell.
They lived in Grand Island while Terrell was working at the Cornhusker Ordnance Plant until March of 1953 when he left for the Army to the Korean War with the 101st Airborne Division. On Oct. 20, 1953, their son Terrell Lynn Sanders was born and Terrell learned of the news by telegram from his fatherin- law, Jude Phillipps on his 21st birthday. In March of 1955 Terrell returned home.
Terrell and Betty found work at Angora and Lakeside. Then they moved north of Mullen and Tena Jo was born in July of 1956, while working for Thomas Lyle T.L. and Mildred Starr. Terrell played softball at Mullen.
When returning to Burwell in the fall of 1960, Terrell started carrying Jude’s mail route. Terrell and Betty milked cows. He did carpentry, electrical and plumbing work and began working for A.S.C.S. in 1961, measuring fields and sealing corn in Garfield-Loup-Wheeler Counties. Terrell coached and played softball at Burwell. Susan Kay was born in October of 1961 while living north of Burwell. Terrell received a letter from Governor Frank B. Morrison on July 14, 1965, thanking him for his “much needed contribution during the time of the tragic fire at Halsey Forest.” Terrell and Betty were members of the Buzzin Duzzin Club. Betty passed away in April of 1970.
Terrell was proud to be a Korean Veteran. He was a lifetime member of Clifford Clark American Legion Post #298 for 66 years; was the Post Commander for 2 years and managed the Burwell Legion Club for 1 year and served as the Garfield County Veterans Service Officer for nearly 20 years. Terrell was a dedicated member of the Burwell Color Guard for 62 years joining in 1964. He was a life member of Taylor Clements VFW Post #6159 and served as Post Commander for one year. He recently received the Challenge Coin from the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs honoring Nebraska’s Korean War Veterans.
Survivors include his wife Janet of Burwell; sons, Terrell “Lynn” Sanders of Warrenton, Va., JD (Suze) Hoover of Ainsworth; daughters, Tena Walahoski of Elyria, Cathy (John) Doggett of Stanton, Cindy (Todd) Mandl of Stanton, Susan Waters of Burwell and Terra (Kelly) Johnson of Lincoln; 22 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother, Alma (Starke) Sanders, brother, Gordon L. (Glenda) Sanders; sister, Sharon Sanders; wife, Betty Jo; daughtersin-law, Paula Sanders and Sally Waters; son-in-law, Harry Walahoski; nephew, Terrell “Terry” Lynn Sanders; in-laws, Julius “Jude” and Ella Phillipps and Mildred Richardson; and numerous family and friends.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at the Calamus Trinity Methodist Church in Burwell, Nebraska.
Pastor Stephen Williams and Pastor Alan Petersen will officiate. Military Honors will be presented at the Cottonwood Cemetery by the Clifford Clark American Legion Post #298 and Taylor Clements VFW Post #6159. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Moulton Cemetery in Loup County, Nebraska.
The family will receive friends and host a reception with light meal on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
CT at the American Legion in Burwell.
Memorials are suggested to the Burwell Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department to be designated to the Ambulance Fund.
Still Waters Funeral Parlor is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.stillwatersfuneralparlor.com.