White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Joy D. Saunders, 86 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Monday, May 3, 2021, at Lexington Estate in Independence.  She was born on August 16, 1934, in Buchanan County, Iowa, the daughter of Carl Raymond and Helen Clara (Ciesielski) Sauer.  She graduated from high school in Rowley, Iowa.  She was working as a teller at Farmers State Savings Bank in Independence when she met Howard “Howdy” Saunders.  They were married on April 24, 1955, in Rowley.  He preceded her in death in 2020.  Mrs. Saunders also worked at the ASCS Office until retiring in 1989.  She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence, the V.F.W. Auxiliary, the Red Hat Ladies, and the Buchanan County Health Center Auxiliary.  She was active at her church, volunteered at the hospital gift shop, and helped with Blood Drives.  She enjoyed playing cards and taking care of her family.

Mrs. Saunders is survived by 2 sons, James (Janet) Saunders of Cape Coral, Florida, and Joseph (Angela) Saunders of Cedar Falls, Iowa, 1 daughter, Janet Shannon of Independence, 5 grandchildren, Devyn Saunders, Luke Saunders, Alexandria Shannon, Bryant Shannon, and Hunter Shannon, and 2 great grandsons, Kayden Gage and Rustyn LeBahn.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters, Irnola Cherry and Saloma McCright, and 1 brother, Vincent Sauer.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 7, 2021, at the White Funeral Home in Independence with Rev. Kevin Jennings officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 6^th, at the funeral home.