Axelson

Funeral & Cremation Services — Serving families in the Butte, Montana area since 1945

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In Memory Of

Morgan Riley Sanders, “Mo”, Age 17, of Anaconda, MT

February 26, 2004 – October 30, 2021

On October 30th, 2021 Morgan’s journey here on earth came to an end.

Morgan was born February 26th, 2004 in Butte, MT to Faith Anderson and Darin Sanders.

Such a sweet and gentle spirit from birth and throughout her life. Morgan appeared at first to those around her as bashful, but in truth, she was taking the time to observe where she could insert her lively and theatrical self. Once she joined in, she was the life of the party.  Morgan loved hard. To know her was to love her.  She never understood how someone that once loved her could so easily let her go.  She mourned the loss of many close friendships as she learned a new way of life after sustaining a traumatic brain injury.  She found incredible joy in having her dearest long-time friend, Hailey back in her life where she belonged.

As a senior, she was busy making plans to attend Montana Tech in pursuit of a career in radiology.  While she was in Spokane recovering, she was quite ambitious and was sure that she would be “the Radiologist”, as she was incredibly bright, academically talented and was on the honor roll throughout her schooling.

Our greatest delight was when Morgan shared her stories in her own wacky style and with great animation. “Zoom”, she would repeat as she talked about her accident and her excitement to head back out on a snowmobile this coming winter or when telling us about her red Cruze with Turbo, “It Zooms”.  Food was always, “Bussin!” and each bite was often followed with a “Yum!” and many thank yous for preparing or taking her out for a meal.  Most days she would reach her limit for the day and when asked if she would complete a chore, she would reply, “WORK” which meant it wasn’t likely she would be doing a thing!

Many may ask “how could this happen?” or “Why???”  I hope it brings consolation to know that Morgan explained, over and over and with great excitement, that her healing miracle was an incredible and vivid experience with the Lord.  In that, she gained a knowing that He is real, that He loves her so and that to be with Him would be her hearts delight. She often said she is not afraid of death, as she would be with Him. Though we did not expect it to be so soon, we believe the story is complete as He has taken her into His loving arms.

We know as she left this world, the only possible exiting statement she would give was, “See Ya!” to which she would expect us all to reply, “Later!”

She is survived by, her mother, Faith Anderson, father, Darin (Kendelle) Sanders, siblings Johnathan Nelson, Jordyn Nelson and Megan Sanders and her step siblings Hayden Heilig and Hailey (Devon) Kennedy.  Grandparents, John and Mercedes Anderson and Jim and Myrna Sanders, honorary grandparents, Gary and Cathy Donahue, step-grandparents, Marion and Connie and her warrior and “bestie”, Carlton Nelson, and her many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Private services will be held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital (https://www.providence.org/locations/wa/sacred-heart-childrens-hospital, 101 W 8th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204) or Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Center (https://www.providence.org/locations/wa/st-lukes, 711 S Cowley St, Spokane, WA 99202) both in Spokane, WA.

Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Morgan.

Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Morgan and her family.

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Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  1. To Morgan’s family,
    May our Lord’s love and peace embrace you through this most difficult time. Georgetown Lake .VFD-QRU had the honor of caring for Morgan Feb 2020. We’ve been praying for Morgan & family ever since; and will continue.
    Words cannot express our grief and sadness for you all.
    With love,
    Annie Young, RN
    GEORGETOWN LAKE VFD-QRU staff

  2. To Morgan’s friends and family :
    I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend and family member! She was always smiling when I would see her around town.. Prayers to you all during this time

  3. Our deepest condolences to your entire family…. My twin sister and her husband were on the team who were the first responders for Morgan after her snowmobile accident in 2020. My husband and I have been praying for her and her entire family ever since… and, will continue to do so in your extreme sadness & heartaches. What a beautiful young lady❤️ Our love & prayers,
    Bob & Kathy Morrison (Bozeman, MT)

  4. Dearest Faith and family, we were shocked and heartbroken to hear of Morgan’s passing. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May the love of God surround you with the comfort of his sweet spirit and give you peace that passes understanding. We love you
    Barbara and Jim

  5. Thoughts and prayers too all of her family and friends! So sorry for the loss of a sweet and beautiful soul gone too soon! May she Rest In Peace!!

  7. Dearest Faith, family and friends, we were devastated to hear of Morgan’s passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May the love of the Lord surround you all and may His warm and loving arms wrap you all up in a warm and tender hug. May He give you comfort and peace at this very difficult and tragic time. We understand your pain and suffering. We are here for you all, no matter the reason. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you all through this sad and tremendous loss. We love you all so very much!!!!!!

  8. Morgan is a beautiful soul who was taken from this world far too young. Thank you for being a wonderful cousin to me all my life. You brought so much joy to your family and friends. I will always admire your resiliency. You never gave up, no matter what obstacles you were faced with. May you rest in peace, dear cousin. I love you with all my heart!

  10. Although I did not personally know you I started following your story during your battle with your tbi I was absolutely fascinated with how well you handled everything with grace I prayed so hard you’d overcome any obstacles you faced and you did. This news of your passing was absolutely heartbreaking but I find peace knowing after your brief meeting with god the first time he decided he needed you more! I believe you were to good to pure and to innocent for this earth and god knew what he was gaining when he brought you home. May your beautiful sweet and loving soul Rest In Peace. All of your love and prayers are being sent to all those who loved and knew you !! Your a true angel.

  11. Pennies from Morgam

    I found a penny today
    Just laying on the ground.
    But it’s not just a penny
    This little coin I’ve found.

    Found pennies come from heaven
    that’s what my Grandpa told me.
    He said Angel Morgan will toss them down, Oh, how I loved this story!

    He said when Angel Morgan misses you, She will toss a penny down,
    sometimes just to cheer you up
    To make a smile out of your frown.

    So don’t pass by that penny
    When you’re feeling blue.
    It will be a penny from heaven
    That an Angel Morgan tossed to you.

  12. What an amazing tribute for your beautiful girl! Thank you for sharing her with all of us. May we all strive to make the same impact on the world that she did. I pray God holds you in the palm of his hand as you face the days ahead. I love you all!!

  13. Sending continued prayers for your intire family as the days pass with the loss of Morgan’s presence in your lives.She will always live on in your memories and hearts till you meet again.God be with each and everyone one of you threw out this new chapter of your lives.God Bless and love

  14. It was our pleasure to have known Morgan while she was here on earth. Our hearts are heavy for her friends and family who are left to figure out how to go on without her. What a wonderful young woman! Sending lots of hugs for you all! ❤️

  15. My deepest condolences to Darin and Faith and the the entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and my God Bless you all.

  16. Death can’t extinguish the light she brought to my life, and all those she touched. She helped me believe in miracles. I always will.

  17. Morgan was such an inspiration!!! I so admired her with her strong encouragement and strength! She was such a beautiful young lady! I will surely miss her. God bless her and her beautiful family! Love you!

  18. I am so sorry for your loss. Beautiful Morgan had a beautiful spirit and soul. I will miss her beautiful smile. I totally understand your sadness and if anyone needs to talk I will always be here. God bless all of you. RIP Morgan until we meet again.

  19. We are so heart broken for you Faith and your beautiful family! There are no words for us to say, to take away your pain! Know that you are luv’d and supported by the Hensley family, and if you need anything we are here! Please remember , Luv is stronger than death! We will be praying for you all and sending lots of luv and healing energy! Bless you all! Luvaluv

  21. To a beautiful girl who was taken so soon. I personally did have the opportunity to meet you. I followed your story 2 years ago. Prayed many of prayers for you and your family. For such a beautiful inspiring example in you Morgan . I hope that your spirt continues to inspire those around you that Love you so much. May you rest in peace.. To the family our love and prayers are with you . God Bless you all.

  22. Thoughts and prayers to the family such a sweet girl may god make you strong through a time like this. Praying for all family and friends

  23. Dear Faith and family. I am heart broken for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I am reminded of foot prints in the sand. May you and your family feel secure and loved as you continue your journey. Love and warm hugs to you all. Kitty

  24. I never really knew Morgan, but she was the sweetest person i knew from the moment I met her she was always so very sweet. She was more loving then any other person i’ve ever known. I’m praying for all family’s.

  25. Sending our love, our prayers and our thanks for such a beautifil life , Morgan, who graced us for such a short but rich time. We are all holding you up. Your friends, Sue and Karen Montgomery

  26. My name is sandy I’m from Beaverdam Kentucky , I followed her story when she had her snowmobile accident and I’m saddened for all of you , she was a fighter for sure and I’m so happy to know she loved the Lord .

  27. I never had the honor of meeting this beautiful young lady but, I do know her Dad very well and followed from the snowmobile accident and all thru her recovery. Hearing of her passing just broke my heart. God Bless her and all of her family as well as her extended family. Fly High young Morgan. You will definitely add brightness to the sky

  28. The Faith that this family has and the faith Morgan had and gained after her injury should show all of us life is short live to the fulliest, live, love and laugh and forever be touched by Gods Grace I found out along time ago God takes the young Angels as well and he has a place for them, Please Support all the familes involved and be kind to one another

  29. Our deepest and most heartfelt sorrow for the loss of a beautiful girl, a beautiful soul, a daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend, child of God. Morgan’s light shined bright after her accident into countless lives; we who watched her recovery felt the Lords loving hand upon her as she healed and even though she may not have realized it, many were being touched by the miracle of God’s loving and endless grace. Even now as her journey on earth is complete, her light will always shine upon this earth and everyone’s lives that she has touched. Faith, your strength, your deep rooted and unshakeable faith in Jesus has inspired me more than any words can convey. God picked the right woman to be the momma of his child, you loved her well and that love and bond will never be dimmed. All of our love and comfort to all of you.

  30. Even though I never knew Morgan I could tell by her ability to overcome the obstacles from the Snow machine accident , that she was a strong woman. Faith and Darren I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad you will be able to see Morgan again one day. For now she will watch over you and her siblings. We will continue to pray for you all for comfort and healing. Rest peacefully sweet Morgan.

  31. My precious Morgie how I love you!! You are my heart. Oh how I enjoyed your humor and our late night texting always telling each other Night Night. You had the most beautiful smile in the world. You were the most caring and generous person I knew and the best checker playing partner ever. I will love and miss you with every breath every day the rest of my life. Have the checker board ready my beautiful beautiful Angel💔😘💔😘💔

  32. “Love You More” my wijjy wijjy wijjy we. I know you know what it meant❤️❤️ Love you to the moon and stars and back a million times!!!

  34. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this devastating time. Just remember, our Father in Heaven , has only lent us our children and when He needs them back for other important jobs He has for them He returns them home to Him. It is not for us to wonder why, but it is important for us to know God and love Him. We need to Believe in God and love all mankind. We will be reunited when we also pass and return to see all those we have seen before. We will have a grand reunion with all our family and friends again in the Arms of the Holy Father in Heaven. So rejoice and thank thank God for the time He has given with Morgan. RIP beautiful Morgan. And May God Bless all those that love you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God. AMEN

  36. Faith. My heart aches for your loss. Lean heavily on the Holy Spirit inside you. Ask God for peace and strength. I’m so very sorry, Faith. And Cedee and John ,also.

  37. Dearest Faith and Family,

    May her memory bring you laughter, during your sorrow.
    May your tears be as falling rain, washing the soul of your pain.
    May you smile as you remember her hugs, her kiss, her willingness to fight for life.
    May you always remember her love, among this world of strife.

    Her journey on earth is may be done, but her journey with Jesus has just begun.
    Look towards the heavens and you will know, that she is with God how she loved him so.

    Thoughts and Prayers
    Phoebe

  39. Darin and Faith, I am so sorry for the loss of Morgan. Though I did not know her, I do remember Darin from our military days. He carried a warm smile and I am sure Morgan inherited both your traits. My condolences to you and your family.

  41. Their are no words to say how sorry we are to the family of Morgan she will be so missed . We are and always will be their for the family’s.

  42. To Morgan’s family, she was always one of the brightest and the nicest girl I knew, she was always so caring and happy and so alive, even after everything she went through she always had a smile on her face! After my mother had passed she told me that if I ever needed anything to let her know, she truly did help me out a lot, their wasn’t any moment where I talked to her that she wasn’t so positive or nice to me. I hope you guys are all doing okay, my prayers are with you all❤️

  43. Morgan, she was always one of the brightest and the nicest girl I knew, she was always so caring and happy and so alive, even after everything she went through she always had a smile on her face! After my mother had passed she told me that if I ever needed anything to let her know, she truly did help me out a lot, their wasn’t any moment where I talked to her that she wasn’t so positive or nice to me. I hope you guys are all doing okay, my prayers are with you all❤️

  44. With deepest sympathy and condolences to your family at this difficult time. Prayers for healing and comfort to you all.
    Morgan is in the grace of God and may you find peace and understanding in God’s will.
    Bless you all.

  45. Anne and Mead send our deepest sympathy for this tragic loss of a young and joyful life.

  47. Faith and family
    I am am so sorry to learn of Morgan’s passing
    My heart aches for you and your family. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this sad time. Sending hugs.

  49. I will forever keep you in my heart. You were one of the kindest most sassy people I have ever met. I will forever miss you complaining about the meetings you had to attend and when one of the freshman in journalism say something that made us give each other a “did they just say that” look and when you talked about the fact that you only like big earrings. Mo I will miss you in many ways.

  50. Hello, I am a childhood friend of Lisa Anderson’s children. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of beautiful and young Morgan. My heart and prayers go out to all her family and friends. I lost my 22 year old brother nearly 7 years ago tragically and unexpectedly. It is times like these that faith is tested most. It is important to know that as short as their life was the bigger the impact they were able to have on others. Sending hugs.

  52. Faith and family, we are saddened to read of this heart wrenching tragedy that you are all dealing with. We are praying for God to keep you held tightly in his embrace.
    Love, Mike & Tori Rogers

  53. “Morgan loved hard. To know her was to love her.”

    It is up to us to pay it forward now. Live, laugh and love hard as Morgan did.

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