Harrisville couple celebrates 70th
Leland Ray and Leila Porter Saunders will celebrate their 70th anniversary. Friends and family may attend an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Harrisville LDS Ward building, 435 W. Harrisville Road. They were married Nov. 6, 1942, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake Temple.
He served in the U.S. Navy, and they lived in Texas and California. They settled in Ogden in 1946. He continued to serve in the Navy Reserve for 10 years. He worked with his father, Edward T. Saunders, in the family business, Saunders Construction. He assumed management of the company in 1963. He served as the first mayor of Harrisville and in many leadership positions in the LDS Church, including bishop, counselor in the stake presidency and patriarch.
They moved to Harrisville in 1957. Together they designed and built their dream home, where they still reside. They served an LDS mission to Brisbane, Australia, in 1990. For 18 months, he gave more than 100 patriarchal blessings; she transcribed and typed them all.
She taught piano and served in many church positions, including Relief Society president. She has enjoyed being a mother, homemaker and teaching her children life values.
Their children are Marilyn Cheney, Janet and Brent VanAlfen, Joy and Douglas Wiese, Kevin Ray Saunders, Gary Lee and Nedra Saunders, Edward Thomas and Katy Saunders, Ronald Willard and Julie Saunders, Lori and Scott Robertson, Roger Dee and Deanne Saunders, and Alan Todd and Lisa Saunders.
They have 52 grandchildren and 93 great-grandchildren.
Comments