Wayne E. Saunders

   Wayne Saunders, age 80, of Manilla, Iowa, passed away on Monday, October 29, 2018, at his home near Manilla. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at the United Church in Manilla, where the family will receive friends from Noon until service time. Interment with military honors will follow in Nishnabotna Cemetery near Manilla. A luncheon will then be held at Manilla Memorial Hall in Manilla.
   Wayne Eugene son of Wallace and Ermyle (Turner) Saunders, was born December 13, 1937, on the family farm west of Manilla, Iowa. He grew up near Manilla and attended country school near his home and Manilla High School. Wayne then worked on the family farm. From 1958 to 1961, he worked at Farmland in Denison. From 1961 to 1986, Wayne was employed at Iowa Beef in Denison.
   On September 6, 1963, Wayne was united in marriage with Barbara Beltrame in Jackson, Minnesota. They made their home near Manilla and raised three children; Bic, Steve and Jeff.
Wayne served with the Iowa National Guard from 1961 to 1966 and attained the rank of Sergeant. He enjoyed working as a sports photographer for the Denison News from 1966 to 1984, and videotaped numerous community events in Manilla.
   Wayne was a member of the United Church in Manilla. In his spare time, he volunteered with the American Red Cross for hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and enjoyed driving the VA van to Omaha and being a RAGBRAI host. Always early wherever he went, Wayne had wonderful sense of humor and always had a joke. Wayne was a generous man, donating his old farm equipment to local museums and walnuts to anyone who would take them.
   On Monday, October 29, 2018, Wayne passed away on the farm where he was born west of Manilla, Iowa. He was 80 years, 10 months and 16 days of age.
   Wayne is survived by a daughter Bic Saunders of Sarasota, Florida; two sons: Steve Saunders and wife Julie of Greenwood, Indiana and Jeff Saunders and wife Mae of Nevada, Iowa; Seven grandchildren: Elizabeth (Sean), Lindsey, Matthew, Joseph, Kortney, Raegan and Andrew; and a sister Beverly Kracht of Denison. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, wife Barbara, and three brothers; Fred, Wallace and Homer.
   Ohde Funeral Home in Manilla is in charge of arrangements.