Aaron Sanders' Obituary
Aaron Sanders, an esteemed Funeral Director of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Unity Point Allen Hospital in the Hospice Care Unit, surrounded by his four children on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the age of 73. His departure marks the loss of a man whose life was deeply intertwined with community, family, and a commitment to service.
Born on June 18, 1952, in Phillip, Mississippi, Aaron was the son of Mills Sanders Jr. and RosieLee (Holmes) Sanders. The Sanders family relocated to Waterloo, Iowa, during Aaron’s early childhood, where he spent his formative years. As a young boy, Aaron became an active participant in the Boy Scouts, attending Longfellow Elementary and Logan Junior High before proudly graduating from Waterloo East High School in 1971 and was a member of the Masonic Temple. During his junior high years, Aaron met DeVonne Bradford, beginning a lifelong connection. In true Aaron fashion, their first date was memorable—he arrived in style, picking her up in a hearse. They were married in 1972 at Antioch Baptist Church in Waterloo. Though they later separated, they remained great friends, a testament to Aaron’s enduring loyalty and kindness.
Aaron’s faith was an anchor throughout his life and he contributed his time and talents to Sunday School, the children and youth choir, and served as a Trustee. His devotion to his church family was profound and unwavering.
From his teenage years onward, Aaron dedicated himself to the funeral business. He worked at Del Farm Grocery and Johnson Funeral Home, where he honed his skills under the mentorship of the late Montrose Johnson, a bond so meaningful that the selection room at Sanders Funeral Services is dedicated in Montrose’s honor. After high school, Aaron pursued mortuary studies in Nashville, Tennessee, before returning to Waterloo to attend the University of Northern Iowa. Balancing academics with his passion for music, Aaron was a tuba player in the marching band—a role he embraced with his trademark humor and zest, famously sporting the dancing California Raisins atop his bald head simply because “it’s Aaron Sanders.” He proudly graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree.
That same transformative year, Aaron became the proud owner of Sanders Funeral Services. His dedication to the profession also took him to Chicago where he attended Worsham Mortuary School, earning his degree in 1996. A trailblazer in his family, Aaron was the first generation to attend Worsham, paving the way for his daughter Kimberly to become a second-generation graduate. Aaron’s passion for his work was evident; he often took his children on calls, teaching them the nuances of funeral service with gentle care and precision. He loved each family he served and cherished the personal connections, always remembering every name.
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