Plum City resident Susan Sanders will be honored as the 2026 Pierce County Most Admired Senior Citizen during a special presentation at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16 in the Fair Picnic Shelter.

Sanders was nominated for the honor by Cheryl Enevold of Bay City, who spoke of Sanders’ 27-year career serving as the manager of congregate dining at the Plum- and Bay City senior centers under the umbrella of the Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC). She also supported the Meals on Wheels program; she retired at age 68 at the end of June.

“She previously served 20 years in the U.S. Army,” Enevold wrote. “As a veteran, she served in the first Desert Storm and Panama. Susan’s service to the community follows in her father Ed’s footsteps, who was also a veteran. Susan cooked for 400-600 troops daily in the Army at Desert Storm. She rose to the rank of E7, Sgt. First Class, where she surely knew her way feeding the troops and delegating duties.”

Sanders, the daughter of Arlene and Ed Klein, graduated from Plum City High School in 1975. After recovering from an illness she contracted during her Army service, she attended UW-River Falls, where she pursued studies in animal science with an equine emphasis. She is just one chemistry course short of her Bachelor of Science degree.

“She loves her farm and horses,” Enevold said. “She is active in horse riding groups.”

Sanders began work as a volunteer with the ADRC in 1998. She has also served as adjutant in the Frank Gilles American Legion Auxiliary Post #365 where she has organized the spring fish fries for more than 16 years.

"I really believe in paying back to the community," she said in a recent Journal article.

Enevold expanded on Sanders’ community service. She enjoys organizing and stocking food for the Plum City Blues baseball team concession stand, planning for Plum City Summerfest and working with the Legion. She is also active in her church’s Ladies Aid, community blood drives and library activities.

When she’s not busy volunteering, Sanders takes pleasure in horseback riding, working in her flower beds and vegetable garden, going for walks with friends, playing cards, participating in her book clubs and taking painting classes.

According to the nomination form, this program is an opportunity to honor older adults who continue to make a positive impact through their involvement, service and community spirit. Winners, who must be over 60, are selected based primarily on current activities, contributions and involvement rather than past accomplishments alone.