Nicole "Nikki" Sanders

Nicole Sanders, “Nikki”, age 78 of New Lenox passed away Saturday September 26 peacefully at home. Nikki was born in Chicago, IL to the late Ruth (nee Bartuska) and late Joseph Borch of Berwyn, IL. Loving mother of Garrett (Gary) Sanders of Austin, TX; beloved sister of Michael Borch of Chicago and Barbara Borch of Tucson, AZ; cherished as “Aunt Nikki” to Claire Borch, Christian and Karen Gustafson, Eric and Lisa Gustafson, Morph Borch, Lucas Borch, and Katherine Borch, and loving great-aunt of Naomi Powers, Hannah Gustafson, Claudia Gustafson, and Elin Gustafson. Nikki was an active member of the New Lenox community, and will be missed by all who knew her for her ready laugh and larger-than-life spirit. She was graduated from Knox College with a degree in Psychology and Theater, then was hired as assistant to the President at John Morrell & Co. She then became a real estate broker, first with Groszek Realty in Chicago, then for American Homes & Investments and Remax for many years thereafter where she obtained her GRI (Graduate, Realtor Institute) designation. She had many passions, including live music, and owned the only live music soundstage on the South Side of Chicago (Harvey) in the early 1980s. For more than 50 years, she was a huge fan of her brother Mike, the drummer for The Ides of March, and was particularly proud to have recently attended their induction into the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum Hall of Fame ceremony during August in Joliet. She was also an avid horse lover, enthusiast, and owner, particularly for American Saddlebreds. She was a member of many local boards and communities, including the Will County Real Estate Board of Review, the New Lenox Park District, and the New Lenox Historical Society. She was on the Board of Directors of the Illinois State Rifle Association, served as a New Lenox Republican Precinct Committeeman, and was a proud founding member of the New Lenox Township Republican Central Committee, for which she organized a favorite annual fundraiser, the Republican Steak Fry, for many years. Nikki will be missed by all who knew and loved her. The family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Rd. New Lenox on Sunday, October 3, 2021 from noon until 4 pm. Interment will be private.