Dorothy B. (White) Sauder was born January 7, 1931 on a farm near Clifton, Kansas to O. Roy White and Katie B. (Watson) White. She passed away peacefully at the La Posada Senior Living Community in Green Valley, Arizona on October 18, 2026 at age 95. She attended Clifton High School and Kansas State University, earning an honored Summa Cum Laude degree in Home Economics and Secondary Education. Years later, Dorothy returned to college, attending Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS and received a degree and teaching credential in Elementary Education. This degree enabled Dorothy to fulfill her passion for teaching 1st Grade in the Salina school system. She loved her 1st grade students, and along with being their teacher, she cared and provided for them. Dorothy’s students also enjoyed her excellent piano playing which she incorporated daily. She always insisted that a piano was placed in her classroom. Dorothy continued to be a life-long learner which inspired her to go on many summer trips all over the world, with the focus of studying educational systems and the schools in the countries she visited.
While attending Kansas State University, Dorothy met her future husband William (Bill) Sauder at a Freshman Orientation. While at K-State, Dorothy and Bill acquired a group of friends who remained forever in their lives until their passing. Dorothy and Bill also remained life-long supporters of their beloved Wildcats and K-State. On August 10, 1952 they were married in Clifton, KS and enjoyed 71 years of marriage prior to Bill’s passing in 2023.
Family and friends will be celebrating both Dorothy and Bill and their lives on Friday, January 8th, 2027 at Sunrise Presbyterian Church. The service will be at 10:30 a.m. and immediately following that service the family will be hosting a luncheon at the Salina Country Club. At the country club, family is hoping extended family and friends will go to enjoy fellowship and to remember together with anyone who can make it to the event.
Dorothy and Bill were blessed with and are survived by three daughters Diana (David) George, Paula (Pat) Markussen and Jan Sauder-Lowry. Dorothy was the proud Grammy of four grandchildren: Nathan (Amber) Miller, Kaetlin (Matt) Henry, Jacob (Elena) Miller and Ry (Tomomi) Lowry as well as nine great grandchildren. Dorothy is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who lovingly referred to her as the matriarch of our family. Dorothy’s love also extended to many “bonus” family members. Along with her husband Bill, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James White and sons-in-law Timothy Miller and Keith Lowry.
The Presbyterian Church and her religious faith have always been important elements of Dorothy’s life. During the family’s years in Salina, Dorothy was an active and involved member of Sunrise Presbyterian Church. After retiring to Green Valley, AZ Dorothy and Bill were members and Stephen Ministers of the Valley Presbyterian Church. Along with her churches, Dorothy was always actively involved in numerous organizations. She also kept her mind active by doing crossword puzzles, sending cards and correspondence, following her favorite sports teams (she ALWAYS had teams she loved), being an avid reader and by playing bridge – something she and Bill enjoyed together ever since their college days.
If you would like to make a donation in Dorothy’s honor, please consider a memorial contribution to: The Scholarship Fund c/o The Posada Life Foundation, 350 Morningside Road, Green Valley, AZ 85614. Dorothy supported this Foundation by serving on their board. Education at all levels was always a passion and priority of hers. Memorial contributions may also be made in Dorothy’s honor to Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 825 East Beloit, Salina, KS 67401.