Diane (Sutherland) Sanders

Barbara "Diane" Sanders, age 73, of Lewisville, MN, and formerly of Dove Creek, CO, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23rd, 2024, surrounded by family and is now walking with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Barbara Dianne “Diane” Sutherland was born on March 1, 1951, to James Pearl Sutherland and Oneita (Williams) Sutherland in Nucla, Colorado. Diane lived and attended school in the Nucla-Naturita area and later met and married William “Bill” Keith and moved to the Farmington, NM area. During this time, Diane and Bill owned several businesses including Keith Heating and Air Conditioning, Keith Builders, and after moving to Grand Junction, CO, they owned J&J Protective Coatings. Diane not only worked side by side with her husband in each business, she also managed the books and office and was just a few hours short of obtaining her CPA license. Diane and Bill divorced after four children and 27 years of marriage.

In 1989, Diane attended truck driving school in Denver, CO and graduated first in her class. Her love of driving semis and having her independence led to a career she eventually retired from. She later married Dave Griffith (deceased) of Dry Creek Basin, CO, and in 2007, she married George Sanders, where they lived together in Dove Creek, CO, for nearly 18 years. 

Diane loved gardening, reading and spending time with her family. She put so much hard work and love into her garden each year, knowing others would benefit from the effort. She had a great sense of humor, and had a gift for finding artifacts on her many treks out and around Colorado. She earned the nickname “Double Clutch” from her siblings and was proud to have it. Her ability to make others smile with her kindness, laugh at her humor, and respect her for her integrity was amazing. Her skill and professionalism at every job including her truck driving was unequal. Diane was an exceptional cook and enjoyed trying out and sharing new recipes, all the way up until her last day on earth. 

In March of 2024, Diane was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, and in May moved to Lewisville, MN, to spend her remaining time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed a visit in Minnesota by her loving sisters prior to her death and was overjoyed to see them all before her passing. She felt blessed and was thankful to have family and friends checking in on her regularly with a call, text or message passed on. She is and will forever be loved and missed dearly, and as she walks with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is now home. 

She is survived by her daughter, Kel Blaine (Jim) Pults, Lewisville, MN; son, Will Keith, Lewisville, MN; and son, Shannon Jess Keith, Arizona; grandchildren, Katrina Sue Diane (Matt) Pults “Mohwinkel”, Lewisville, MN, Steffan Monroe Larsen, Windom, MN and Jericho Gordon Thomas Pults, Farmington, MN; great-grandchildren, Camrin Blaine and Katie Lilliana Diane, Lewisville, MN and Ezra Jonathan Thomas, Apple Valley, MN; sisters, Doris Kessler, Naturita, CO, Cheryl (Mike) Eades, Redvale, CO, Donna (Ken) Robbins, Mancos, CO, Kathy (Steve) Hessler, Reno, NV; brothers, Jim (Vanessa) Sutherland, Egnar, CO, Randy Sutherland, Naturita, CO, Ricky (Stephanie) Sutherland, Nucla, CO, Lee Sutherland, Naturita, CO, Bill Sutherland, near Kingsman, AZ, and Bob Sutherland, Nucla, CO; and many loved nieces and nephews. 

Diane was preceded in death by her son, Justin James Keith; parents, James Pearl and Oneita Sutherland; her sister, Shirley Jean (Gary) Woods; and her brothers, Larry Dwayne Sutherland and Curtis Glen Sutherland; and brother-in-law, Vern Kessler.

Graveside Services and a Celebration of Life will be held in Egnar, Colorado on October 12, 2024. Details will be posted on the funeral home’s website in September. All are welcome to attend. 

If you would like to leave a message or add a great memory for Diane’s family and friends, you can do so at her obituary page at www.sinnfuneralhome.com.