Marie Brown Saunders

Marie Brown Saunders

On Saturday, November 24, 2012, the world lost, and heaven gained, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Marie Brown Saunders. She was born on August 26, 1918 to Conrad and Mary (Schoup) Brown, Germans from Russia immigrants. Marie was born and raised in McCook, Nebraska in a small farmhouse with no running water. She went to school in a one-room schoolhouse, being promoted from second to fourth grade by skipping a row in the seating arrangement. After high school graduation, Marie went to business school in North Platte, where she met Earl Saunders. Their courtship and love would last for the next 75 years, even though the draft and distance nearly separated them.

After business school, Marie went to work in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. as a congressional research aide. Marie and Earl were married in the living room of a Justice of the Peace in Saluda, South Carolina, on May 30, 1942. Except for the separation of wars, Marie was never far from Earl''s side. He loved her with all his heart and she him.

Marie was a kind and loving mother, who could make a meal for eight out of a ham hock and a game out of rhyming words. She was a dedicated military wife and mother, following Earl''s transfers from around the U.S. to Japan and the Alaskan territory. After Earl retired in 1963, they moved to Roy where they resided until moving to Legacy Village in Layton last year.

Above all, Marie loved and valued her family. She delighted in her children''s and grandchildren''s accomplishments, and felt their pain and sorrow as if it were her own, and they all adored her. Marie taught her children the value of higher education and made sure it was available to all of us, often at the expense of any luxuries for herself. She fought for the underdog, for excellent education, and for her family. She leaves a hole in our hearts, but also an enduring legacy of what is truly important in life.

Marie was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brother Harry Brown, and her sister Esther Vontz.

She is survived by her husband, Earl Saunders, of Layton, and their children and spouses, Mark and Jean Saunders, Colorado; Patrick and Nan Saunders, California; Deborah Saunders, Roy; Peggy Saunders and Karl Seashore, Centerville; Michele and David Friz, Layton; and Marti Martinez, Roy; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Gladys Halley, Louisiana, and Elsie Guida, Colorado.

The family wishes to thank the staff and residents at Legacy Village in Layton for their loving care.

According to Marie''s wishes, a small memorial for family and close friends will be held Saturday, December 8, 2012. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a charity of your choice.

Services entrusted to Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.