Lane Saunders

On Thursday, October 6 we lost our beloved father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Lane passed away at St. Vincent hospital after a short illness. Lane was born March 6, 1947 in Williston, ND to Walter “Red” and Lilly Saunders. In 1950, they moved to Glendive, MT where he attended elementary school. In 1959, the family moved to Bozeman, MT where Lane attended Holy Rosary School, graduating in 1965. He married Sandy Kessler in 1968. Sandy and Lane had two sons, Bryce and Sammy. They later divorced in1980. In July of 1991, he married the love of his life Connie, and cared for her until her death in March of 2014. Lane was a hard worker, and his work ethic afforded him several opportunities in his life. He was everything from a delivery man to a sports announcer and other miscellaneous jobs. Lane earned his nickname “Kernel” while running the concessions for TOI Theaters in Bozeman. An opportunity to manage TOI brought him and Sandy to Billings in 1969. His next career move was to work as a sportscaster, salesman and general manager for many radio and TV stations in the Billings market. Lane also operated the concessions for Red Lodge Mountain and Stewart Park alongside his good friend Bud Rose. In 1989, Lane started working for Automatic Music Service, where his passion for the casino and bar industry began. He worked and co-owned the Turn of the Century Casino and Lucky Lady Casinos and most recently worked for the Monte. Lane developed his most valued and treasured friendships while working in the bar business. Lane was accepting of all people and knew no strangers. He touched many lives and will be missed by his numerous friends and colleagues. Lane was proud of his commitment to the Al Bedoo Shrine. He was a member of the Oriental Band and the Cushman Patrol. Living up to his nickname “Kernel”, Lane proudly spent countless hours popping all of the popcorn for the Shrine Circus. Lane is preceded in death by his parents, and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his sons, Bryce (Suzanne) and Sam (Stephanie); his sisters Ina Clair Farlow and Melodie Walker; nephew, John Farlow (Valerie); Connie's children Terra, Tony, Trena and their spouses. Lane is also survived by his grandchildren Steven, Jarred, and Trent Saunders, Morgan and Truman Pierce and Tessa and Tiffany Boehnke A celebration of his life will be held Friday, October 14, 2016, 2:00 p.m. at the Shrine Auditorium. The family would like to thank the sixth floor tower nursing staff at St. Vincent Hospital for the excellent care they provided to our father. We would also like to thank Diane, Corey, Jason and the rest of staff at The Monte for their support. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Al Bedoo Shriners Patient Transportation Fund, 1125 Broadwater Ave. Billings, MT 59102