Welcome to our Family Blog

This started as a place where we can post pictures of Grandma to help Alysha's project. Please feel free to add pictures and stories of our families and ancestors so we can get to know them all better.

Please upload your pictures in the original size at the largest image size on the upload screen. When scanning photos be sure to scan them at a minimum of 300 dpi. If you can please put the date on your picture or in your post when it was taken so we can put them in some kind of order. You can add a tag or label by putting the information in the label box when you make a post. That way we can find entries about a specific person or event.

It was suggested that we keep this blog private so if you would like your families to be able to view and comment on the blog please send their email addresses and they will be sent an invitation.

Thanks for helping to make this a successful way to share and strengthen our family.

Monday, June 11, 2018

7 Jun 2018 - Naoto Komiya Saunders - 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

Saturday, June 2, 2018

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: Grandsons: Max Holst, Jorden Holst, Spencer Holst, Thomas Saunders,
 Bill Peterson, Charles Saunders, Nic Saunders
L-R: Grandsons: 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)

Thursday, May 24, 2018

14 May 2018 - Grandma Alice Saunders passed away



Alice Saunders

Alice Eileen (nee Laurie) 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.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

22 Jul 2017 - Saunders Family Reunion


On July 21st and 22nd we had a Saunders Family Reunion. It was very well attended and we had lots of fun thanks to the excellent organizing and work done by LeiLani Holst. We are grateful for all she did so we could get together and have fun!



Back Row L-R: Jeff Scott, Tom Saunders, Mike Saunders, Jimmy Sladek, Ken Holst, Spencer Holst, Max Holst, Maddie and Zac Saunders, Austin Sladek, Adam Kapcsos, Jorden, Candice and Walker Holst, Jason Saunders, Jeri Saunders
Next back row L-R:April Saunders, Ella Sladek, Stacey Salmon, Ruthanne Holst, Eli Burton, Carson Scott, Vivian and Scott Saunders, Thalia and Victoria Kapcsos, Courtney Holst
Middle row L-R: Jessica Burton, Dahl Salmon, Ty Salmon, Andee Goodbrand, Will Sladek, Ryder Goodbrand, Jennie Goodbrand, Jameson Saunders, Kristen Holst, Addyson Holst, Dylan Saunders, McKay and LeiLani Holst, Alysha Sladek
Front row L-R: Ivy Scott, Reid Salmon, Rex Salmon, Ivy Burton, Emerson Holst, James Sladek, Hadley Holst, Hunter Holst, Raquel Holst, (Victoria's dog Izzy) Brynlee Holst, Benson Holst, and Alivia Sladek

On Friday night we had supper, a campfire and lots of visiting.

Saturday the festivities began with breakfast, games, lunch and a visit from Grandma Alice Saunders. Then more games and visiting and some skits, dinner and then of course a camp fire.





It was a big group!

We even celebrated some birthdays for Courtney and Ivy
 and then Zac and Maddie's anniversary!

We had two of the five born in 1983, Victoria, Mitch and Stacey.
 Just missing Dave and Lola!

 A game: move popcorn in cups on your feet to the other end 
and dump it in a bag. Creative!!!



Alysha took a big group photo and many more . . .







Saunders Siblings and their spouses with Grandma
L-R Back: Ken Holst, Tom and Mike Saunders
L-R Middle: Ruthanne Holst, Marilynne MacDonald,
Wendy Saunders, April Saunders, David Cichy
L-R Front: Dave MacDonald, Alice Saunders, Allyson Cichy

The siblings in attendance with Grandma
L-R Back: Marilynne MacDonald, Ruthanne Holst, 
Tom Saunders, Mike Saunders, Allyson Cichy
Front: Alice Saunders

L-R Back: Marilynne MacDonald, Ruthanne Holst, 
Tom Saunders, Mike Saunders, Allyson Cichy
Front: Alice Saunders



Wednesday, April 12, 2017

11 Apr 2017 - Adria Jade Saunders is born

Adria Jade Saunders was born on 11 Apr 2017 to Scott and Adina Saunders. She wiggled her way into everyone's heart. She has the same birthday as Aunt Meghan Saunders and Uncle Craig Hardin, Natalie's husband.

 Adria Jade Saunders weighed in at 7 lb 0oz

Vivian, Scott, Jameson and Merrick all got to hold baby Adria.

Daddy and Adria

Mommy and Jameson

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

28 Jan 2016 - Reg Saunders - (Reginald William Saunders 1941-2016)

Uncle Reg died on January 28th, 2016 after fighting a long battle with various cancers. We are lucky to have had him as long as possible.


His funeral was held on February 3rd in the Taber Stake Center.



The funeral was really nice and then there was a lunch right after were Jeri got to meet with all the friends and family who had come. It was a nice way to do a funeral and all Jeri's idea.

 Jeri and Alice visiting after the funeral.

After the lunch we went to the Taber Memorial Gardens Cemetery for burial and some more goodbyes and visiting.

 At the graveside


 Dylan and Renae passed out flowers from the casket boquet.

 Jeri, Ruthanne and Allyson visiting
Jeri says goodbye
 Extended Saunders Family
 Reg and Jeri's family
Kate, Shirley and David Andrews were all up from California.

Friday, July 18, 2014

14 Jul 2014 - Takuma Komiya Saunders

We welcome the newest member todate of the Gordon & Alice Saunders Family. His name is Takuma Komiya Saunders. His parents are Brad and Akina Saunders. He was born on July 14th and weighed in at 7 lb 6 oz and was 52 cm long (20 1/2" about).


Ah, new born Takuma. He was born at 9:39 am on a Monday morning.


Notice how much hair he has!

Grandpa and Grandma finally arrived on Thursday, July 17th. He is a very relaxed baby.


This reminds me of Brad when he was little!

Brad is a natural Dad . . . way to go! He and his little guy are having fun already.

Front l-r: Takuma and Brad Saunders 
Back l-r: Michael and April Saunders, Ichiro and Yoko Komiya

Takuma was lucky enough to meet both sets of Grandparents.

l-r: Brad, Takuma and Akina Saunders