Larry Elmer Sanders, 70, passed away peacefully at his home on June 12, 2021. Larry was born on 08/11/1950 to Elmer and Marie Sanders at North Platte, NE. Larry entered the Navy in 1969 where he served as a sonarman on the USS Woodrow Wilson. After his services, he completed a Bachelor's Degree in Speech/Theater and a Master's Degree in Community Counseling from University of Nebraska at Kearney. He became a licensed and certified mental health counselor as well as a certified drug and alcohol counselor. He worked at various points for the Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism, Memorial Hospital and St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska, the Veterans Hospital in Grand Island, and the Veteran's Clinic in Greeley, Colorado. Larry spent his career working with recovering addicts and serving veterans. He was a beloved mentor, sponsor, and friend to many in the recovery community. In 1980, he married Linda Mulholland of Grand Island Nebraska with whom he had two children. In 2010, he married Charlene, who was his life's companion until his passing. Larry had a passion for riding his motorcycle, watching movies, reading, crossword puzzles, and traveling. His favorite time of year was summer when he would plan trips across the country with his children or his dear riding friends. The best memories of a lifetime were made on those trips. Larry was active in community theater and was a member of the Grand Island Community Theater and Hastings Community Theater. He was a talented actor and was even willing to shave his beloved beard or hair for the sake of a role, much to the consternation of his friends and family. In his retirement years, he found a new passion, and each Christmas Season, he would don a red coat with a white fur collar and cuffs, put on his red hat with white fur and share the magic of Christmas with children of all ages! To his recovering friends who mourn his passing, he would suggest they find comfort on page 417 in the Big Book: "And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. As being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake." And, for his Responsible Listening friends he would suggest "stay current with all of your feelings to name it, tame it, claim it!" Larry will be lovingly remembered by those that survive him: his wife, Charlene; his two children, Jessica Sanders and Zachary Sanders; his step-children, Jason Skarboe, Amanda (Pete) Meister, and Laci (Ray) Majorins; and the seven grandchildren that he was honored to fill the role of "Grandpa" to: Creighton Meister, Jacob Skarboe, Samuel Murphy, Oakley Meister, Mia Majorins, James Majorins, Joseph Majorins; his sister, Marilyn Hansen; Nephew, Jim (Kim) Hansen; Nieces, Ramona Hansen and Allison Frasier; Brother-in-law, Terry Hunt; Nephew, Allen (Mitzi) Hunt; Nephew, Chad (Cherlyn) Hunt; 5 Great Nephews; and 3 Great Nieces He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Marie Sanders and his sister, Denise Hunt. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to either the Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism (https://cncaa.net/support-us/#donate) or Responsible Living Classes, 6467 W Sprague Road, Crete, NE. 68333. A celebration of life will be held at the Hickman Community Center, 115 Locust Street on Saturday, June 26 at 10 am with coffee and donuts provided. We ask that you bring a lawn chair. A ride is being planned to immediately follow the celebration for any of Larry's riding "family" to join.