Susan Saunders
Susan Saunders
Susan Saunders
February 25, 1963 – February 2, 2014
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 50
Loving Wife, Mother, and Daughter
Susan W. Saunders, 50, of Oskaloosa, died unexpectedly on Sunday, February 2, 2014, at her home.
Susan was born February 25, 1963 at Iowa City, the daughter Raymond and Ann Wakus Wise.
Susan graduated from the Ottumwa High School with the class of 1981, and received her B.A. degree from Central College in 1985. In 1998, she received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Morningside College. Early in her teaching career she taught in elementary school in Fort Madison. On June 27, 1987, Susan was united in marriage to Rob Saunders at Ottumwa. Following their marriage, they lived in Oskaloosa all their married life. Following her marriage, Susan taught for Indian Hills Community College at the Mahaska County Home. Then she taught for over 20 years at Wildwood Elementary in Ottumwa. Later she worked for a couple of years at Kids Corner in Oskaloosa, then for several years at Earl May Nursery. Lastly, Susan tutored at Apples of Gold in Oskaloosa until her death.
She enjoyed tending her flower gardens; feeding birds and deer; watching Iowa State basketball on television; reading, especially westerns; and helping any cat that strayed into the neighborhood.
Early in their married life, they were active in Oskaloosa Jaycees and especially the haunted house project. Susan closely followed her children’s sports activities in high school and college, and every marching band competition and band concerts, and Praise Band. She was a past vice president and past president of the Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary. She received no greater thrill in life then teaching young people, especially reading, and watching them pick it up and excel in their schooling.
Her family includes her husband, Rob Saunders of Oskaloosa; their son and daughter: Brian and Katherine, both students at U.N.I. in Cedar Falls; also surviving is her mother: Ann Wise of Ottumwa; her mother in law: Johnet Saunders of Manilla; and a brother in law: Jay (and Laura) Saunders of Pella.
She was preceded in death by her father and her father in law: Dale Saunders.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 7, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa with the Rev. Dr. Dennis Morey officiating, assisted by the Rev. Jane Martinez.
Burial will follow in the Forest Cemetery at Oskaloosa.
Visitation will begin at the Bates Funeral Chapel Thursday after 11 a.m., and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Thursday from 5 – 7 p.m. to greet friends and relatives.
A memorial fund has been established in her name to be used for several projects the family is considering.
