Robert "Bob" Saunders

Robert Anderson Saunders, 89, passed away in the company of family and went to eternity with Jesus Christ on July 28, 2022. Bob was born on April 17, 1933, to Onis Cecil and Anna (Anderson) Saunders in Ringsted, Iowa.

During his childhood on the family farm with ten siblings, his youngest sister, Norma, referred to him as "Naughty Bobby" due to the tricks he would play on siblings and schoolmates. She said she and Bobby used to get in trouble with their mom for dancing in their dining room. To pay for college he worked a few summers laying sections of Interstate 35 in Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa. He served in the US Air Force from February 1954-October 1957 and was stationed at Edwards AFB, California, in France, and in Northern Africa.

He met Elizabeth "Libby" Willette in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the early 1960s when he came into the travel agency where she worked, looking for a job to pay for college. They wed on April 18, 1964.

He was a member and served at Ascension Lutheran Church in Allouez, Wisconsin in many capacities: church council president, lector, communion assistant, usher, and counter. Bob also volunteered with the Salvation Army and at the Einstein Project.

Bob was involved in many of his children’s activities. He volunteered and attended many swim meets and coached all three of their soccer teams over a course of about 12 years. At non-traveling games Libby could always be heard cheering his team on.

Over their 58-year marriage, at weddings you would always find Bob and Libby dancing the Polka. For travel, Bob and Libby enjoyed family trips across the US, Mexico, and Canada, including visiting their children and their families, and their own siblings’ families. The also had the opportunity to go on cruises and visit numerous international places (Hong Kong, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and New Zealand). He Enjoyed many fun bridge games over the years as well as ushering at the Weidner Center, Saint Norbert College, and the Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center.

He leaves to mourn: Wife, Elizabeth; Children, Greg (Beth), Kim (Andy), John (Dina) and Grandchildren, Josh, Maddie, Eva, Kyle, Xander, John and Joe, and two sisters.

He is preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, and two sisters.

His memorial service, with military honors, will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2911 Libal Street, Green Bay, WI 54301. Visitation 11:00 to 11:45am, memorial service at 12noon on Saturday, September 24 at Ascension Lutheran Church. Reception to follow at the Village Grille (Bellevue Location), 1390 Bellevue St. Green Bay, WI 54311. Cotter Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family with arrangements.

To honor his memory, in lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to Ascension Lutheran Church, The Einstein Project, or The Salvation Army.