Margaret Sanford, 95

Margaret Kammritz Sanford passed away at the age of 95 at the Community Restorium in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you for the great care and devotion accorded Margaret by the fine people at the Community Restorium in Bonners Ferry.

Margaret was born in Bridgeport, Conn., the daughter of Edward and Mae Kammritz. Her father was an engineer at the power company in Bridgeport, Conn., and her mother was a homemaker. Margaret grew up in the city with her younger sister, Barbara, and often visited her uncle’s farm in upstate New York. She often spoke about her childhood memories feeding the animals, especially the chickens. She married Charles Baird Sanford in New Haven, Conn., in 1948 and several years later moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to raise their family and start a business. Margaret was an involved mom, active with her children's swim team, den mother for the Boy Scouts, cookie mom for the Girl Scouts, and president of the PTA. As a family, they enjoyed Sunday drives in the country, camping, and many hours of boating. 

Besides raising her children to successful adulthood, Margaret worked with her husband in the family's pest control business in Florida until her husband’s death, and later in life she worked for Sallie Mae (a loan servicing company) in Texas. She loved animals and had a number of cats and dogs in her life. Her last furry best friend was Bailey, a sweet tiger cat.

When Margaret retired, she moved with family to the beautiful state of Idaho in 2009. 

She is survived by her four children, Karen Baensch and her husband, Al, of Prineville, Ore.; Susan Burrow and her husband, Byron, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Brian Sanford and his wife, Bonnie, of Dunedin, Fla.; and Elizabeth Witt of Killeen, Texas. 

Margaret leaves behind eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She will be missed by family and friends.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Margaret’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.