Phyllis Jane Saunders

Phyllis Jane Saunders, 80, of Cove, died Aug. 12 at her home of natural causes.

A funeral service will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande.

Phyllis was born Sept. 9, 1926, to Clyde and Virgie (Bell) Robinson in Tacoma, Wash., one of eight children. She was raised and educated all over the northwest. Her father worked for Pacific Fruit and traveled throughout the Northwest, so she attended several schools. She eloped with Grant Saunders on Oct. 23, 1944 to Weiser, Idaho. After Grant returned from the Air Force and got his teaching degree at EOU, the couple moved to Salem for five years, then back to Cove in 1956. Phyllis and Grant owned their own real estate firm, and Phyllis was voted retailer of the year.

Phyllis' family says she was an accomplished piano player, an outstanding hostess and excellent cook, always making sure her kids had their favorite meals on their birthdays. She and her husband enjoyed rodeos, and made 10 trips to the national finals in Las Vegas. She was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the La Grande Country Club, Rotary and Union County Ambassadors. Her family says she was a loving and generous person.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Jack C. and Cathie Saunders of Weiser, Grant Timothy and Debbie Saunders of Middleton, Idaho, Shelley J. and Randy Simmons of La Grande; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grande Ronde Home Health Hospice, P.O. Box 3290, La Grande 97850.