Eileen Sanchez

Eileen Claire Sanchez, nee Gunnufson, of Twin Valley, Minnesota died Saturday December 15, 2012 at the Collier Hospice Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado after a two year battle with cancer.

Eileen was born December 7, 1944 in Twin Valley, Minnesota with sisters Leila Bittinger and Mary Lemieux, daughters of Agnes Violet Thronsen and Albert Nere Gunnufson. Eileen moved to Colorado in 1962 where she and husband Philemon Sanchez married in 1964. Together they built a home and started a family; becoming first a mother of two and then a grandmother of six.

Through her life she became known to family as more than just Eileen but 'Ma', 'Amma' and 'Leenie'. She always enjoyed riding her horse Dark Star and good conversation with friends and family around the table. We celebrate a life of a woman whose tenacious spirit and beauty remain timeless for all eternity. You will be missed beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. Your poise and grace will be cherished forever. We love you.

She is survived by husband Philemon Sanchez, sisters: Leila Bittinger and Mary Lemieux, children: Lisa Wolff and Jason Sanchez, and grandchildren: Danielle, Hillary, Paige, Zachary Wolff, Nicolas and Jasmine Sanchez.

A memorial will be held in the spring of 2013 to celebrate her life. We hope family and friends will be able to join and further information on the ceremony will be available after the holidays.