Mariane Kristiane Larsen Saunders

Mariane Kristiane Larsen Saunders, 86, a lifelong resident of Grant County passed away Monday, May 28, 2012 at Columbia Crest Care Center. Viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 1st and from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., Saturday, June 2nd at Kayser's Chapel. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Kayser's Chapel with Dr. Paul Wagner officiating. Interment will follow at Pioneer Memorial Gardens. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory, Moses Lake.

Mariane was born in Wilson Creek, WA on November 16, 1925 to Chris and Marie (Jensen) Larsen, the fifth of seven children. She graduated from Wilson Creek High School and Kelsey-Baird Business School in Spokane.

On August 20, 1951, she married Kenneth "Bud" Saunders and moved to the new house he had built for her on the Saunders family farm. She and Bud had been married for nearly 53 years when he passed away in 2004.

Mariane was a haven for many family members taking them into her home in times of need. A deeply creative woman, she enjoyed photography, sewing, knitting and reading. She loved to travel, visiting many states and countries in her lifetime.

In addition to farming all her life, Mariane was active in the community especially in the Cattle Women (formerly known as the Cow Belles) at the state and county level, serving several terms as state president.

Mariane is preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Saunders, her siblings: Lloyd Larsen, Tom Larsen, Evelyn Larsen Hansen, Mick Larsen, and Verna Larsen Johns.

Surviving family includes her son and daughter-in-law Steve Saunders and Julia Rodriguez, and her granddaughter Audrey Rodriguez Saunders of Campbell, California, her brother Chris Larsen of Spokane, WA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Grant County Cattle Women Scholarship Fund, PO Box 68, Ephrata, WA 98823 -or- Columbia Basin Rodeo Association Scholarship Fund, PO Box 367, Moses Lake, WA 98837