Naoto Komiya Saunders - 7 Jun 2018 born in Japan

There is a new boy in the family. Brad and Akina Saunders had a healthy baby boy on June 7th, 2018 in Osaka Japan. He is a smiley one. This is Alice's 72nd great grandchild and Mike and April's 9th grandchild.

Naoto Komiya Saunders

2 Jun 2018 - Alice Eileen Laurie Saunders Funeral

We had the funeral for Alice today. It was a beautiful day and things went smoothly. We had lots of family here so that was great. Here is the Funeral Card. The obituary and funeral service can be accessed by clicking on the link to Southland Funeral Chapel

One of Alice's requests was to have "O Danny Boy" sung at her funeral. This song was sung by a dear friend, Stephen Evanson, who worked with her at Saunders Insurance.

 It is only fitting that the bag pipes were also playing Amazing Grace at the graveside.

Chris Ward playing "Amazing Grace"

L-R: Max Holst, Jorden Holst, SpencerHolst, Thomas Saunders,

 Bill Peterson, Charles Saunders, Nic Saunders

L-R: Rob Peterson, Scott Saunders, Dave Saunders, Max Saunders, 

Ethan Cichy, Alex Saunders, Mitch Holst

We are lucky enough to have 14 of the 17 grandsons present to be pallbearers.

Mitch Holst, Bill Peterson, Rob Peterson, Max Holst, Charles Saunders, David Saunders, Nic Saunders, Ethan Cichy, Thomas Saunders, Jorden Holst, Spencer Holst, Scott Saunders, Alex Saunders and Max Saunders

The three missing grandsons, Brad Saunders (Japan), David Cichy (Australia) 

and Zac Saunders (Utah with new baby) as well as all 

the grand children and great grandchildren were honorary pallbearers. 

Also unable to attend is Nichole Van Lierde and her family of Olds, Gord's daughter.

Alice's Children

L-R: Ruthanne Holst, Greg Saunders, Allyson Cichy, Cyndi Saunders, 

Mike Saunders, Marilynne MacDonald and Tom Saunders

(Oldest brother, Gord predeceased his mother)

14 May 2018 - Obituary for Alice Eileen (nee Laurie) Saunders

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Alice Saunders

1929 - 2018

Alice Eileen Saunders (nee Laurie), beloved wife of the late Gordon Saunders, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 in Taber on Monday, May 14, 2018, on her late husband’s birthday.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, June 1, 2018 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and at the Church on Saturday, June 2, 2018 between 10:00 A.M. and 10:40 A.M., prior to the service.

The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, to Taber on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. The burial will follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.

Alice is survived by her children Thomas (Wendy) Saunders of Victoria, British Columbia, Marilynne (David) MacDonald of Calgary, Michael (April) Saunders of Taber, Cynthia Saunders of High River, Allyson (David) Cichy of Calgary, Gregory (Karina) Saunders of Highland, Utah, Ruthanne (Ken) Holst of Taber and by thirty grandchildren and seventy one great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Pauline Laurie, Bev Laurie, Arlie Laurie, Shirley Andrews, Jeri Saunders and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Gordon Stanley Saunders, her son Gordon William James Saunders, her parents James and Jessie (nee MacPherson) Laurie and all her siblings.
Alice was born on Dec. 29, 1929 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, the sixth of nine children born to Jessie and James Laurie. She spent her early years in Ladner, British Columbia. At the age of seventeen she moved to Taber and resided there until her passing. She met Gordon Saunders in Taber and they were married on June 16, 1948. They were blessed with eight children.

Alice was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served with love and faith in various Church callings over the years. Alice and Gordon served a Church mission in Egypt in 1993. After Gordon passed away, Alice served another Church mission in 2007 at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Alice was a hard worker whose hands were never idle. She mastered everything she set her mind to do. She was an accomplished markswoman, cook and seamstress. When she wasn’t sewing beautiful wedding, bridesmaid or graduation dresses she loved to do any new craft. She created many wonderful quilts, handmade cards, cross stitches, porcelain dolls and fur teddy bears. Her kitchen was always filled with numerous baked goods, including her famous butterhorns. She took great joy in giving of what she had to others, including her wisdom and her listening ear. Alice had the gift of making everyone she met feel special.

Alice will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered for her many talents, her kind and caring heart and for her love of serving others.

If desired, memorial tributes in Alice’s name may be made directly to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, 111 West Campus Place NW, Calgary, Alberta T3B 2R6 www.rmhcsca.org.

The Saunders family would like to thank all the staff at the Good Samaritan Linden View Facility for their kind and loving care of Alice.

14 May 2018 - Alice Eileen (Laurie) Saunders

Alice Eileen (Laurie) Saunders passed away on her husband, Gordon's, Birthday. As a family we think that is a fun fact that she was able to go that day. We will miss her but are very gratefull for all the great things she has taught us.

There will be a viewing at 7-8pm on Friday night, June 1st at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, Taber Stake Center on 4709 50th Ave. Then on Saturday another viewing at 10-10:40 am before the funeral at 11 am at the same location.

https://www.southlandfuneral.com/component/obits/?view=obits&id=2794

27 Dec 2014 - Alice's 85th Birthday Celebration and Saunders Family Gathering

26 May 2014 - Ruth Toshiko Konno Laurie Funeral service

Gord Laurie's beloved wife, Ruth, passed away peacefully on May 2014 after a long battle with cancer.

Notice the little biography of Ruth on the left.

Today they held the funeral service for Ruth Laurie at the McKillop United Church. It was a lovely way to remember her life and a great tribute to her character and love of others. Ruth was a great mother, sister, grandmother and wife and shared her love with many! She was buried next to Uncle Gordie at the Mountain View Cemetery in Lethbridge.

We were happy to see so many family members from the Laurie and Konno families. We were also happy that Grandma and Aunti Pauline were able to come.

Aunti Alice Laurie Saunders and Janne Laurie Parascak

Trent, Alice and Janne

 Janne Parascak, Aunti Pauline Burbank Laurie, and Trent Laurie

 Uncle Danny's family in attendance: 
Jim Laurie, Pauline Laurie and Sherry Laurie Genest

Alice, Ruthanne Saunders Holst, Marilynne Saunders MacDonald

Anti Alice Laurie Saunders family in attendance: 

l-r front Jeri Saunders, Alice Saunders, Ruthanne Holst, 

Marilynne MacDonald

l-r back Reg Saunders, Mike Saunders, Wendy Saunders, 

Tom Saunders, Allyson Cichy, David Cichy, April Saunders

(Dave MacDonald and Scott Saunders, son of Mike, were there but had to leave

before this photo was taken)

25 May 2014 - Calgary Saunders gathering

Today Tom and Wendy Saunders spoke in church in Cochrane prior to leaving on June 9th for an 18 month mission in Apia Somoa for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All who could gather did and CJ and Jessica hosted a family lunch at their house after the meeting.

Saunders Siblings
back l-r: Marilynne MacDonald, Tom Saunders, Ruthanne Holst

fron l-r: Allyson Cichy and Michael Saunders

Saunders siblings and spouses

back l-r: David Cichy, Tom Saunders, Marilynne MacDonald, 

Ruthanne & Ken Holst, April & Michael Saunders

front l-r: Allyson Cichy and Wendy Wood Saunders

Wood siblings and father

back l-r: Cathy Wright, Ian Wood, Wendy Saunders, Denise Henninger

front l-r: Burns Wood and LeeAnn Anderson

Wood Siblings and spouses and father

back l-r: Don & Cathy Wright, Ian & Debbie Wood, 

Wendy & Tom Saunders, Denise & Rick Henninger

front l-r: Burns Wood and LeeAnn Anderson

Wendy and her father, Burns Wood

Debbie Wood, Chuck's son John, and Georgia Wood 
(Jordan Wood and Caitlin's daughter) have a birthday today.

David & Allyson with Katelyn's baby, Millie

6 Nov 2013 burial of Marion Isobel Laurie

Today we were finally able to put Marion Isobel Laurie's ashes to rest in the Taber Memorial Garden's Cemetery. We have replaced her parents head stone with her name included and interred her urn of ashes. The ceremony was sweet and simple. While none of us were able to meet Marnie when she was alive or know her we hope to be able to meet her someday.

What we do know is that Marion was born in January during a bad snow storm in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Her mother usually had the children at home but the midwife told James to take her to the hospital because there were complicaitons. The story is that the roads were so bad that they couldn't get the cab to the hospital doors so Grandma Laurie had to walk the last little bit through deep snow. Upon arrival and in delivery they discovered that the cord was around the baby's neck. She must have experienced some brain damage in the process. Marion survived the birth but suffered some kind of damage which made life difficult for her. She followed Alice around and shared a bed with her. Alice took care of her and protected her when there was danger. Alice would take her and hide under the bed when things were bad. When their father, James, came to Vancouver and remarried their mother, Jessie, the family was moved to Taber, Alberta. However this move was not possible for Marion, or Marnie as they called her, so she was admitted into the Essondale Assylum at Coquitlam, BC (now known as the Riverview Hospital). Later she was moved to the Vernon Assylum in Vernon, BC. She was happy there and passed away peacefully at the age of 61.

The urn was interred above her parent's grave.

The new headstone to include Jame and Jessie's daughter 

Marion Isobel Laurie.

We were lucky enough to sneak this event in between snow storms and cold weather. We were also fortunate that Aunt Ruth (Gordon Laurie's wife) could attend. Both Uncle Danny and Aunt Alice were unable to come due to health issues.

Back L-R: April Bodily Saunders, Michael Craig Saunders, Ruthanne Saunders Holst, 

Allyson Saunders Cichy, Marilynne Saunders MacDonald, 

Jenny Cichy Goodbrand, Ruth Konno Laurie and Janne Laurie Parascak.

Front: Ryder Goodbrand and Andee Goodbrand (Jenny's children)

Ruthanne Saunders Holst - Gordon & Alice Saunders' daughter

Ruthanne Saunders was the only one born since the family moved to Taber. She was born on July 18th, 1964 to Alice and Gordon Saunders. She is the eighth child and the fourth girl.
Ruthanne was a bouncy girl with golden curls, the only blonde in the family. Growing up at the end of a big family isn't always as good as the older siblings thing. However, Ruthanne did well and was helpful to the family and her neices and nephews.

She married Kenneth William Holst on March 24th, 1984. They lived in Medicine Hat while Ken was going to the Medicine Hat College. They moved back to Taber while he prepared to get accepted in to the RCMP. Three of their boys were born in Taber. Once Ken was accepted into the RCMP and had done some training back east and in Regina he graduated. They were assigned Coronach Sakatchewan and lived there for several years. Their last son was born at that time. They were then transfered to Turtleford, Saskatchewan before Ken retired from the force. After that they moved to Calgary and worked there. Ken worked with Telus for awhile. In 2008 they moved to Taber and started working for Mike at Saunders Insurance where they still are. The move was a good one for their family.

They had four sons:
Kenneth Mitchel Holst, known as Mitch,
Maxwell Spencer Holst
Jorden Michael Holst
Spencer Jay Holst

Ruthanne has also been blessed with Grandma Laurie's crafty, creative and homemaking skills. She is a good mom, cook, and grandma to their now seven grandchildren, soon to be more. All four of their boys are married now and living in the Lethbridge Taber area. 

Gregory Brent Saunders - Gordon & Alice Saunders' son

Gregory Brent Saunders was born on Jan 10th, 1962 to Gordon & Alice Saunders. He is the seventh child and fourth son. He was born after Grandma and Grandpa Laurie's death and is the last child born on the farm. He was an avid reader and enjoyed reading about World War I and II. He spent lots of time with his brother Mike as their interests were similar. Greg is talented at sports. He played Lacrosse and Hockey in high school and when he went to Brigham Young Universitiy. He was instrumental in getting Lacrosse going at BYU and was a player coach. He was inducted later into the BYU Lacrosse Hall of Fame for his activities in LaCrosse. He was an excellent goalie in Hockey. He played on a Softball team that won the US National C Division championships. The Laurie family has done well in the sports area!
Greg married Karina Zapata on Oct 18th, 1991 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They lived in Provo for awhile and that is where their first son was born. They lived in Calgary when he returned and worked with his brother Tom. After that he moved to Taber to work with his other brother, Mike. While in Taber, Greg coached a football team that took one Bantam and three High School Provincial Championships in a row. During that time he completed a Master's degree through the University of Phoenix. He helped organize and host the Alberta Summer Games for the town. In July of 2009 Greg moved his family to Utah for other job opportunities and live there still.

They have four boys:
Zachery Michael Saunders, "Zac"
Maxwell Gregory Saunders, "Max"
Alexander Gareth Saunders, "Alex"
Nicholas Benjamin Saunders, "Nic"

Allyson Anne Saunders Cichy - Gordon & Alice Saunders' daughter

Allyson Anne Saunders was the sixth child born to Gordon and Alice Saunders in Taber. She was born on Jun 17th, 1959. She was the last of the kids to be born on the farm and moved when she was four years old or there about. She shared many moments with her siblings, neighbors and friends. She is very talented in sewing, just like her mother and grandmother. After High School she went to Brigham Young University and graduated in Fashion Merchandising.

Allyson married Joseph David Cichy, known as David, also from Taber on October 11th, 1980 in Cardston, Alberta. They have five children:
Alysha Eileen Cichy,
David Justin Cichy, known as Dave or little Dave
Jenny Michelle Cichy,
Katelyn Anne Cichy,
Ethan Edward Cichy.

After marriage they lived in Taber then moved to Edmonton where David finished a law degree. After he graduated they moved to Calgary where he articled for a law firm and was kept on after he was admitted to the bar. They have lived there ever since and enjoyed raising their family, serving at church and in the community. Most of their children still live in Calgary.

Cynthia Alice Saunders - Gordon & Alice Saunders' daughter

Cynthia Alice Saunders was born on Jan 27th, 1957 in Taber, Alberta. She is the fifth child and second daughter born to Gordon and Alice Saunders. Cyndi always loved the animals. Infact she scared her parents to death one day by being in the bull's coral. She would have made a good vet. She loved to have fun with friends and on adventures however she is also very talented. Grandma Laurie left her mark on these grand daughters as they are good cooks and able to create a home by being creative.
After High School Cyndi went to Rick's College in Rexburg, Idaho for a year. She returned and married Jack Peterson. They had five children before divorcing:
Paula Alice Peterson Baril,
Robert John Peterson, know as Robbie,
Erica Lynne Peterson Krumweide,
Cynthia Lola Peterson Smith,
William Jack Peterson.
All her children were born in the Taber area where she raised them for a while. She has spent some time in Lethbridge but most of her life has been in High River or Calgary.

Michael Craig Saunders - Gordon & Alice Saunders' son

Michael Craig Saunders was born on Oct 21, 1954 in Taber, Alberta to Gordon and Alice Saunders. He is the fourth child and third son. Life on the farm was always interesting with two mischevious older brothers. One time Tom had him collect eggs from the hen house to take to their mom. They put the eggs in his pockets and told him to take them to his mom. Tom tripped him on the way back and their mom was none to happy about the loss of eggs. There are many other stories of the things they did as kids. Michael went to Kinniburgh school as well. When he finished his work the teacher sent him out to play. He would end up accross the road that the Kinniburgh's home where the men flew crop dusters. Often they would take him up in the planes with them while the other kids were in school. When he was nine the family moved off the farm to town.
Mike's first job outside of farm chores was to move pipes for a farmer. Mike also graduated from W R Myers. He worked at the Taber Sugar Factory during campaigne and worked for the Ford dealership in the parts department before going on his mission. He went to the France Belgium Mission for two years. While there his father asked if he would go into the Insurance business with him when he got home. Mike met his wife in Charleroi, Belgium where she was also serving as a missionary. Upon his return he started working with his father at Saunders Insurance Ltd. Mike and April Elaine Bodily were married on June 10th, 1976 in Provo, Utah. They have six children:
Michael Scott Saunders who goes by Scott to not be confused with his dad,
Bradley Gordon Saunders known to us as Brad,
Natalie Lynn Saunders Hardin,
Meghan Avril Saunders,
Victoria Leigh Saunders Kapcsos, and
Thomas Howard Saunders, who goes by Thomas not to be confused with his Uncle Tom.

Mike and April have lived in Taber since that day a block away from his parents. He still works in the insurance business on Taber's "main street". It is quotes because one day a cow was running down the street. Everyone in the office watched. The next day one of the employees said she found out where the cow came from. Her dad had it at the vet for a shot and the cow got away because it didn't want the shot . . . you know it is a small town when these kinds of things happen. It is a happy town at least.
Mike has had many opportunities to serve in the community, church and Insurance Industry. He was the President of the Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta, Vice President of the Insurance Brokers of Canada and lobby for the Insurance industry in Ottawa. So while we live in a small town it hasn't limited him at all.

Marilynne Eileen Saunders MacDonald - Gordon & Alice Saunders' daughter

Marilynne Eileen Saunders was born on Dec 17th, 1951 in Taber, Alberta. She is the third child of Gordon and Alice Saunders and the first girl. The first three children were very close in age and did lots together. Like the boys, she went to Kinniburgh school, played around the farm, helped with chores and her younger brothers and sisters. Marilynne also graduated from W R Myers High Scool. She worked for Time Air in Lethbridge for quite a while. Marilynne is a gifted artist and very creative. Marilynne received a mission call to the Louisianna Baton Rouge Mission. She was there for 18 months. Upon her return she went to Provo, Utah and took training as a hair dresser. She was very good at it. She returned to Canada and worked for a few years in Calgary before meeting David MacDonald. They were married on Aug 2nd, 1991 and have lived in Calgary their whole married life. Marilynne is everyone's favorite aunt. She is busy working and serving others.

Thomas Reid Saunders - Gordon & Alice Saunders' son

Thomas Reid Saunders was born on Sep 19th, 1950 in Taber, Alberta to Gordon and Alice Saunders. He is their second child and second son.

 Tom & Gord on the farm

Tom and Gord were always together either doing chores, planning adventures for their younger siblings, or  getting into mischief . Maybe all three at once.

Tom & Gord as cowboys

Tom went to Kinniburg School as well. It was a small country school where grades 1, 2, and 3 were together in one class and grades 4, 5, and 6 were in the other class. They had lots of fun and chores to do on the farm such as tending the cattle and planting and harvesting the crops.

Tom also graduated from W R Myers High School in Taber and went to Rick's College with Gord for one semester, from Sep to Dec 1969.

He went to the California East Mission on Jan 6, 1970. He was there for an earthquake that shook the books off the shelf above his bed. He loved his mission and had a great time working with the people there. He is still in contact with some of his companions and friends from that time period.

 Elder Tom Saunders and his bike, favorite mode of transportation.

 Elder George Mitchell and Elder Tom Saunders in Rialto, CA

Upon his return in  January of 1972 he worked at the Sugar Factory with Uncle Gordie Laurie. He got engaged to Wendy Wood. They had dated each other in High School and got reacquainted after his mission.

Tom married Wendy Marie Wood on the June 17th, 1972 in Cardston, Alberta.






They lived in Taber while all their kids were born. They have five kids:
Jessica Ann Saunders Burton,
David Thomas Saunders,
Charles Wood Saunders,
Nena Marie Saunders Scott,
Stacey Saunders Salmon.

 During the arrival of his children Tom became a stock broker and then worked in Lethbridge followed by a move to Cranbrook, BC.

Back l-r: Dave, Tom, Wendy, Jessica

Front l-r: Chuck, Stacey, and Nena

Cranbrook, BC

While they were living in Cranbrook their home burned down during the holidays in December of 1986. They lived in a motel until the company moved them to Calgary where they have lived ever since. Tom has had other very successful jobs since then. He and Wendy now have 17 grandchildren and are enjoying time spent with them.



In October of 2013 Tom and Wendy received a mission call to go to the India New Delhi mission to serve the people there. Months later their call was changed to the Samoa Apia Mission because they were unable to get visa's to India. They will leave for their mission to Samoa on Jun 9th, 2014.

Gordon Willliam James Saunders - Gordon & Alice Saunders' son

Gordon William James Saunders is the first child born to Gordon and Alice Saunders. He was born on the 14th of June, 1949 in Taber, Alberta. His family lived on a farm so he grew up in the company of siblings and animal friends. Gord is what he was called him since there were so many Gordon's in the family. Gordon Laurie was known as Gordie Laurie to us all because of that too.

 

Tom and Gord on the farm 

 Gord and Tom on the front stoop

Gord was active on the farm with his brother's and sisters, helping out and going to Kinniburg School for his early education.

1963 Grand Champion 4H Calf  - Gord Saunders on right

 He did 4H and raised a prize winning calf several years but won in 1963 the Grand Champion Award.

He graduated from W R Myers High School in Taber and went away to Rick's College in Rexburg, Idaho.

He went into the Mission Training Center on March 14th, 1970 to start on a mission for our church to the South West England Mission for two years. He loved it in England.

Elder Gordon William James Saunders

South West England Mission

Upon returning he went on with an education that took him to Montana College of Mines and Minerals in Butte, Montana. He received a degree as a petroleum engineer from there. The rest of his life he worked in the oil patch as an engineer. The last little while he worked in Russia training workers on the rigs.

Gord was a generous, good hearted person with a great laugh! Unfortunately he died of a massive heart attach on June 25th, 1995 at the age of 46. It was way to soon and he is missed.He is burried in Taber Memorial Gardens near his father and grand parents.