Ralph Victor Sander, 87, of Richmond, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020.

Ralph was born on February 22, 1933, the son of Edmund Joseph and Mary Magdalene (Scheck) Sander.  He was united in marriage to Edna Marie Herl on July 18, 1953, at St. Joseph Church in Hays, KS.  She preceded him in death on June 5, 2000.

Survivors include: five sons and four daughters: Ralph J. (Connie) Sander of Excelsior Springs, Mary (Lamont) Lipka of Temple, TX, Cynthia (James) Galle of Richmond, Bruce Sander of Tulsa, OK, Carol (Christopher) Coen of Independence, Charles (Marie) Sander of Barr Nunn, WY, Tammy (James) Ireland of Kansas City, Wesley (Shelly) Sander of Richmond, and Kevin (Kendi) Sander of Casper, WY; 22 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Linda Sander of Hays, KS, and Vera Wear of Lewisville, TX.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, Marvin Sander, and two sisters, Patricia Younger and Rita Von Lintel, and two great-grandchildren, Gabriel Sander and Jack Leykam.

Ralph proudly served in the United States Army from August 9, 1949, to December 24, 1952, and bravely fought in the Korean War.  After returning from the service, he was married and they lived in Salina, KS, before moving to Richmond in 1968.  Ralph had a lifelong career in maintenance and farming, in addition to raising his nine children.  Ralph was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Richmond.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Richmond Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.

Visitation, with a rosary, and funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at the Richmond Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with visitation beginning at 2:00 P.M., with a rosary at 2:45 P.M., with services to follow at 3:00 P.M.  Burial will be in Richmond Memory Gardens, with full military honors provided by the United States Army and Ray County Veterans.  Please remember to share your memories of Ralph with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com .