Carl Saunders

Carl Wayne Saunders, age 98, of Billings passed quietly into the arms of his Lord on Monday, January 24, 2011 at Langemo Cottage of St. Johns Lutheran Ministries. Born May 15, 1912 in Assissippi, Manitoba, Canada, Carl was the son of John C. and Josie L. Saunders. His parents homesteaded in Russell, Manitoba and later immigrated to Whitetail, Montana where they farmed. He was a graduate of Whitetail High School. On June 24, 1935 he was united in marriage to Lillian Fouhy. They farmed in Whitetail until 1948 and then purchased a farm near Hamilton. There he served as a director of Production Credit Assn. They left the farming business and bought Sleeping Child Hot Springs near Hamilton. He was also involved in reflexology. He and Lillian divorced. He met Earlice L. Kauffman and they were married July 23, 1966 at Post Falls, Idaho. They lived in Billings where they opened Carl and Earlys Massage Center on 1335 Avenue B and later moved out to 1516 Wicks Lane and continued the Massage Center from their home there. He was president of the Montana Reflexology Assn. in the 1980s. In 1994 his wife Early passed away. Carl continued working until he semi-retired in 2006 and moved September 2008 into the Langemo Cottage of St. Johns complex. Carl and Earlys love was traveling. They went to all 50 states and all Canadian provinces, Germany, and culminating their travels was a trip to the Holy Land. He is survived by son, Carl (Doris) Saunders Jr. of Charleston, WV; daughter Joyce (Carl) Miller of Hamilton, MT; grandchildren: Kathy (David) Courser, Mike (JoAnn) Miller, Lori Ward (fiance Tommy Blumhofer) all of Hamilton, Larry (Lori) Miller of Missoula. Carl is survived by stepson Richard (Donna) Kauffman of Laurel; step-grandchildren: Raymond (LuAnn) Kauffman of Massachusetts, Mark (Debbie) Kauffman and Tina Sowards of Absarokee, stepdaughter-in-law Eleanor Kauffman and her sons Scott and David Kauffman. He is survived by 7 great-grandchildren; 14 step great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren; and several step great-great-grandchildren. Carl is preceded in death by infant son, Raymond Saunders; stepson Robert Kauffman; sisters, LaRue Thomas and Mildred Nelson, brother Lawrence Saunders. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Montana Rescue Mission or a charity of choice Cemetery: Inurnment will be in Mountview Mausoleum following the service. Service: Memorial Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 29 at Dahl Funeral Chapel, Billings.