Shirley Gene Saunders

Shirley Saunders, age 87, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at the Divine Providence Care Center in Ivanhoe, Minnesota. Memorial Services are planned for 12:00 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2019, at the Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland, North Dakota. Interment will follow in the Rutland City Cemetery, Rutland, North Dakota. Memorial Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 4, 2019, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue a half-hour prior to the service, from 11:30 a.m. – Noon on Saturday, October 5, 2019, at the Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland, North Dakota.

Shirley Gene Stenstadvold was born on March 30, 1932, to Jens and Minnie (Begeman) Stenstadvold in Florence, South Dakota. She was raised in the Lutheran faith, baptized in Florence and then confirmed in South Shore, South Dakota. She attended high school in South Shore.

In 1949, Shirley married Charles Berg, and they had 4 children: Kathy, Dick, Cindi, and Debbie.

On January 9, 1965, Shirley was united in marriage to Selmer “Sam” Saunders in Webster, South Dakota. The couple made their home in Kidder, South Dakota, and added another child, Bill, to the family. In the fall of 1974, the family moved to Marshall, Minnesota. In addition to being a loving wife and homemaker to her blended family, Shirley worked at Swift Processing, Marshall Egg Plant, and BH Electronics. Shirley and Sam shared over 40 years of marriage together before Sam died on January 13, 2006.

Shirley was a former member of Grace First Parish in Russell, Minnesota. She was a very giving person, always keen to care for others. Her enjoyments in life included crocheting, canning, fishing, puzzles, and tending to their gardens. Shirley was also an avid Minnesota Twins fan!

Shirley Saunders died on Tuesday, October 1, 2019. She reached the age of 87 years, 6 months, and 1 day. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by her children, Kathy Wetterlin of Moorhead, MN, Cindi (Shawn) Zwack of Esteline, SD, Bill (Cora) Saunders of Duluth, MN; daughter-in-law, Karen Berg of Clyde, OH; son-in-law, Jerome Hansen of Mina, SD; close longtime friend and “adopted daughter”, Cindy (Jimmy) Friesen of Tracy, MN; 9 grandchildren, Nicki Beitz, Aaron Wetterlin, Tim Berg, Becky (Jeremy) Ray, Michelle (Curt) Mathias, Shawn (Jim) Lund, Megan (James) Aulie, Haley Hansen, Libby Hansen; 8 great-grandchildren, Adam Olson, Jordan McLaren, Karlie Mathias, Reaghen Mathias, Caleb Hoefert, Caitlyn Ray, Alex Wetterlin, Andrea Wetterlin; sister, Grace Eclov of Britton, SD; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Jens and Minnie Stenstadvold; husband, Sam; children, Richard Berg, Debbie Hansen, Tammy Jo Saunders (in infancy); 6 siblings, Stella Mallgren, Clarice Darrington, Hilda Stenstadvold, Norris Stenstadvold, Leonard Stenstadvold, and Dick Stenstadvold.

If you have a Twins jersey or shirt, she would have enjoyed seeing that. Please wear your Twins gear to the services in memory of Shirley.