George S. Saunders of Albert Lea passed away on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center. He was 82 years of age.

George was born Sept. 13, 1928, in Lowell, Mass., the son of Stephen and Doris (Stowers) Saunders. He received his bachelor of arts degree in public education. George proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy.

George was united in marriage to Jane Norris on Aug. 30, 1951, in Elk River. Together they resided in Albert Lea since 1954.

George taught in the Albert Lea school district for 32 years.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jane Saunders; children: Stephen Saunders of Olympia, Wash., and Mary (David) Gilman of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Jessi Elmer, Katie Gilman, Stefan Saunders, Ian Saunders and Nicole Saunders; great-grandchildren: Makayla Elmer, Kori Elmer, Benjamin Dougherty and Peyton Davis; three sisters survive: Lucy Weed, Doris Pinard and Beverly Melvin, all of Massachusetts.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the Albert Lea Family Y Youth Scholarships or the American Lung Association of Minnesota.

A special thank you to the nurses and staff at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center for their care and compassion over the past six months.