Zona C. Saunders

Zona Claire, daughter of Laurence Robert and Zona Celeste (Reynolds) Howorth, was born March 31, 1927 near Dunlap, IA.  The family lived in various states including Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas and South Dakota and Zona attended schools wherever they lived. The family eventually settled in Manilla where Zona attended 12th grade and graduated with the Manilla Class of 1945. Zona then worked at her parents’ theater in Manilla.

   On November 20, 1945 Zona was united in marriage with Eugene Alden Saunders at Manilla. They lived in Manilla for a year and then started to farm south of town in 1947. In the 1970s, they purchased their farm where they continued to live and raise their four children. In 1991 Eugene entered the Manilla Manor due to complications of a stroke. He died in 2004.  Shortly thereafter, Zona moved into Manilla.

   Zona was a member of the Methodist Church in Manilla (currently United Church of Manilla), sang in the Church Choir, Mary Martha Bible Study, Manilla Area Historical Association and the Home Community Club. In her spare time she enjoyed baking, especially angel food cakes, gardening, doing needlework and playing the piano.

   Zona moved to the Manilla Manor in 2013 and died there on Sunday, October 27, 2019. She was 92 years, 6 months and 27 days of age.

   Zona was preceded in death by her parents; husband Eugene Saunders; son-in-law David Boeck.

   She is survived by her four children: Charlotte Ann Boeck of Lanesboro; Nancy Kay (Dennis) Greer of Harlan; Susan Jan (Bruce) Dolder of Henderson, Nevada; and Keith Douglas Saunders and friend Trudy Hoffman of Manilla; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson; two sisters in law: Rita Saunders of Manning and Virginia Jorgensen of Spencer; and by other relatives and friends.    

 Visitation will be held from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at the Ohde Funeral Home in Manilla on Friday, November 1, 2019.

Funeral Service

Friday, November 1, 2019 ~ 11:00 AM

Ohde Funeral Home, Manilla, Iowa

Officiating

Reverend Joel Sutton, Pastor

Music

“Just A Closer Walk With Thee”

“There’s Something About That Name”

Casket Bearers

Jason Dolder     Brian Dolder     Riley Pearson

Ryan Pearson Sr.     Ryan Pearson Jr.

Interment

Nishnabotna Cemetery, Manilla, Iowa