Lee Saunders

Palmer resident Lee R. Saunders, 77, died of cancer at home surrounded by his family on Nov. 11, 2007.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Palmer LDS chapel. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A luncheon will follow the service.

Saunders was born July 3, 1930, in Ogden, Utah, to Clarence and Opal Saunders. He graduated from Brigham Young University and attended the Institute of Art in Chicago. He also spent a semester abroad studying in Florence, Italy.

Saunders came to Palmer in 1972 and was employed as a master conservator for art restoration and appraisal. For community service he served as a bishop, patriarch and most recently a ward missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Saunders enjoyed oil painting, traveling, his children, grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He was a loving husband and father who taught his family the importance of hard work and love for family.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Saunders; daughter, Laurel (Brent) Phelps; sons, Craig (Holly) Saunders, Roger (Kristy) Saunders, Clark (Melissa) Saunders, Jon (Ronna) Saunders, Andy (Julie) Saunders; stepchildren, Mike and Peggy Bailey, Carolyn and Craig Fields, Kevin and Christy Bailey, Amy Bailey, James and Laura Bailey, Tami and Don Patterson; 50 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made to 16160 Virginia Ave., Palmer, AK 99645. Arrangements were entrusted to Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.