Marjorie Violet Saunders

Marjorie V. Saunders, 84 of Devils Lake formerly of Doyon, North Dakota died on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Funeral Services for Marjorie will be held on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Doyon. Rev. Donald Reynolds and Rev. Roger Johnson will officiate and burial be in the Bethlehem Cemetery, rural Doyon. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Marjorie will be Richard Burt, Evan Burt, Jim Schroeder, Terry Aronson, Jim Evans, Eric Schroeder and Bryan Saunders. Music will be provided by Paulette Frith. Marjorie Violet was born on January 8, 1925 in Bartlett Township, Ramsey County, ND, the daughter of Roy and Mabel (Appeman) Evans. She attended school in Crary, ND and graduated from Crary High School. She attended Minot State Teacher’s College and earned her teaching certificate. She then taught in country schools in Edmore and Hope, ND. Marjorie was united in marriage to Richard K. Saunders on June 20, 1948 at Crary. They established their home on the farm at Doyon, ND where they lived, worked side by side and raised their daughter. Life on the farm was not easy, but Marjorie was a dedicated farm wife and took pride in caring for the needs of her family and also caring for the harvest crews, taking lunches and dinners out to the field, doing the chores and whatever needed to be done. Richard died April 2, 1977 but Marjorie continued to live on the farm until moving to Devils Lake in 2001. Marjorie was a life long member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and was very active in the WELCA. She also served as the church organist for over 30 years. The organ used at church services was Marjorie’s. Marjorie enjoyed knitting and crocheting and shared her creations with family and friends. She and Richard never missed a chance to go dancing. Her love of dancing started at a very young age when she and her brother, Bill would go to dances and that love continued through the years. Marjorie also had a definite “green thumb” when it came to growing African Violets. But Marjorie always felt the most precious times in her life were when she was with her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We have lost someone very special and she will be forever loved and missed. Marjorie is survived by her daughter, Gayle Belmont and husband, Larry of Henning, MN; Three Grandchildren: Richard Burt and wife, Brook, Oslo, MN; Alison Barnes and husband, Daniel, Raleigh, North Carolina; Evan Burt and wife, Michelle, Manvel, ND; Great Grandchildren: Isabel and Hunter Burt; Owen and Luke Burt and Alison’s soon to be born child; Brother: Bill Evans and wife, Wilma of Doyon; Sister: Bonnie Kosir and husband, Al of Bismarck, ND; Loving Companion: Jim Beatty of Devils Lake; In-home Caregiver: Sylvia Gilbraith, Crary; Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Richard.