FRANKLIN
Kay N. (Venitz) Sanders, 90, of Franklin, IN passed away Friday, August 18, 2023, at Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis, IN. She was born on May 27, 1933, to her adopted parents Karl Arthur Venitz and Emma Elizabeth (Brandt) Venitz in Indianapolis, IN. She married Robert D. Sanders on Easter Sunday April 17, 1960, in Franklin, IN; they were married for 47 years. He preceded her in death on February 22, 2008. Kay loved life and was very blessed. Her smile, compassion, sense of humor, listening ear, trusting friend, her “way” with words, her tolerance and patience, her love of family and friends, church, and her love of God, will truly be missed. Being a true Gemini, those “twins” tried to keep one another in check.
Remember her, as each knew her.
“Miss Kay”, as she was known by some, was a member of Tabernacle Christian Church in Franklin, IN where she sang in the church choir. After completing high school, she attended Franklin College where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. After changing majors and colleges, she graduated from Butler University in 1957 with a B.S. degree in Secondary Education. She taught Health and Physical Education and English for two years at Franklin Middle School. Kay put teaching aside to tend to the needs of her family until 1971 when she re-entered the teaching field. She was a substitute teacher for three of the Johnson County Schools. Her last few years of teaching were devoted to Custer Baker Middle School and Franklin Community High School in Franklin, IN up until the pandemic of 2020.
Kay enjoyed helping young people learn, but more than that, she was also there for their other concerns. Each generation she taught was a challenge which she met with humor and wit and understanding. She had many interests and hobbies and enjoyed music, singing, playing piano and organ, crocheting, biking, tennis, bowling, boating, and mostly just being with, and doing for her friends and family. She worked and played golf at Walnut Ridge golf course and was once asked her handicap, which she smiled, and replied “sand traps and water hazards”. Her health in later years halted her enjoyment of those physical activities, and her passion for writing was rekindled.
She is survived by her three children, Steven B. (Donna) of Springdale, AR, Michael D. (Tamara) of Franklin, IN, and a daughter Karla K. Wells of Franklin, IN, her grandchildren Kyle Wells (Ashley), Brittany Faulkner (Ricky), Maryn Sanders (Austin), Arla Cress (Tony) and Ellyn Tuggle (Wes), great grandchildren Laken Faulkner, Nolan Faulkner, Makena Cress, bonus grandchildren Heather Mauch (Rick) and Kaylea Strain (JD), bonus great grandchildren Gavin, Skyler (Kay), Realynn, Preston, Teagan and Journey.
Her husband and her parents preceded her in death.
Pastor Evie Stuard and Pastor Diana Thompson will conduct a service celebrating Kay’s life on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 10AM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com. Friends may call Wednesday from 4PM until 7PM at the mortuary. Burial will follow the service at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, IN.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association 8720 Castle Creek Parkway East Drive, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46250 or at www.heart.org, or the National Kidney Foundation Attn: Gift Processing at National Kidney Foundation HQ
30 East 33rd Street New York, NY 10016 or at www.kidney.org or the American Cancer Society 5635 W 96th Street Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278 or at www.caner.org.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information at 317-738-0202.
