Marlies Sanders, a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, in Woodbridge, Virginia, surrounded by her beloved family. Born on March 14, 1939, in Nordenham, Germany, Marlies’s life was defined by resilience, faith, and an unwavering love for her family.

At the age of 12, Marlies immigrated to the United States with her parents, beginning a new chapter in New Jersey, where she gave birth to her four sons, the pride and joy of her life. She worked tirelessly to provide for her family and built lasting friendships along the way.

In the 1978, Marlies moved with her sons to Virginia, where she found a community she cherished. Together with her parents, she joined a church that became a spiritual home, strengthening her Lutheran faith and deepening her connection to God.

Marlies’s greatest joy was watching her family grow. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her endless happiness and pride. She loved crocheting gifts for each new grandchild, caring for family pets, and babysitting her grandkids. Her gentle spirit and compassion touched everyone she met.

Marlies was preceded in death by her beloved parents, George and Martha, her eldest son, John and her granddaughter, Victoria. She will be laid to rest alongside them, a testament to the deep bonds of love that shaped her life.

She is lovingly remembered by her three sons and their families:

Ron and his wife Gretchen, and their children Derrick, Brittany, and Christina (husband Steve; children Dempsey, Aubrey, and Ava).

Eric and his wife Laura, and their children Sarah (husband Andrew) and Brooke (husband Dylan; sons Liam and Levi).

Jim, and his children Karissa (son Erik) and Kayla (son Zayn), and his wife Veronica.

Her legacy lives on through each generation. A woman of strong faith and gentle kindness, Marlies will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A service to celebrate Marlies’s life will be held on Monday 1/19/26 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Fairfax, Virginia, Guests are welcome to arrive at 10:00am with the service beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Stonewall Memory Gardens in Manassas, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Alzheimer’s Association: donorservices.alz.org

Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation: www.lostdogrescue.org/roadtor…

St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital: www.stjude.org/donate

Lord of Life Lutheran Church: www.lordoflifeva.org/give&nbs…

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