Joplin Tornado death toll up to 156: Grace Sanders dies of complications following surgery

(From the City of Joplin)

The City was notified today of an additional death due to injuries sustained during the May 22nd tornado. This brings the fatality total to 156. The most recent death was Grace M. Sanders.
Her obituary is printed below:

Grace Marie Sanders passed from this life at 3:08 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2011, at St. John’s Intensive Care Unit in Springfield, Mo., from complications following surgery.


Grace was born to Elmer and Francis Dummit on April 11, 1929, in Buhl, Idaho.

Following a tragic car accident, Grace and her sister, Elouis, now deceased, were adopted at the age of 7, by their aunt and uncle Hupperfelt, of Miami, Okla. in October of 1936.

Grace later married Robert Dale Sanders, of Carthage, on Nov. 21, 1946, and they enjoyed nearly 65 years of marriage together. Bob remains at the couple’s home in Carthage.

Grace was recovering from surgery at St. John’s Hospital in Joplin, on Sunday, May 22nd and was located on the west end of the upper floor when the EF5 tornado struck, destroying her room and the entire end of the floor on which she was seeking cover. She survived the tornado but sustained multiple injuries requiring 18 stitches at the triage at Memorial Hall. She, along with 39 other patients from Joplin, was transported to Springfield, for further care. She was discharged and returned home but required further surgery on June 17th and died on Monday from various. complications. Her husband and a nephew were present with her at the time of her passing.

Grace was employed for many years at the Joplin Stockyards as a bookkeeping and was always a gracious and welcoming person. She will be most dearly missed by all who loved her and respected her.

The family asks no flowers, but instead suggests donation be made to the Salvation Army, designated specifically to the Joplin Tornado Survivors’ Fund in her memory.