Funeral services for Kathy Saunders of Albert Lea, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Raul Silva and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Interment will be in St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church.

Kathy died unexpectedly on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. She was 65.

She was born on Dec. 13, 1948, in Norwalk, Ohio, the daughter of Paul and Mary Alice (White) Stein.

She graduated from high school in Norwalk. Following graduation, she began working in the dietary department in Norwalk and then in the respiratory department.

On Aug. 29, 1970, she was united in marriage to Harold “Mike” Saunders in Norwalk.

They lived in Bellevue, Ohio, for a short time, and then in 1973 made their home in Albert Lea.

Kathy had worked for Naeve Hospital, now Mayo Clinic Health System, Albert Lea, in the respiratory department for almost 40 years. She was currently working at Fountain Center.

Kathy can best be remembered as one who was devoted and strong in her faith. The Bible verse Colossians 2:7 “be rooted in him and built in him, held firm by the faith you have been taught, and overflowing and thanksgiving” exemplifies how Kathy lived her life.

Kathy was greatly loved and will be missed by her family which includes husband, Mike Saunders, of Albert Lea; sons Scott Saunders of Coon Rapids and Eric Saunders of Maple Grove and his fiancee, Jessica Novak; grandchildren Kayla Anne, Benjamin Michael, Sophia Renee and Anthony Paul; mother, Mary Alice Stein of Madeira Beach, Fla.; brothers and sisters Jerry (Candy) Stein of Norwalk, Diane (Raymond) Pereira of Mississauga, Ontario, Charles (Wendy) Stein of Norwalk, Connie (Tom) Merrill of Madeira Beach, Fla., John (Mary) Stein of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Nancy (Mike) Newhouse of Bushnell, Fla.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Earl Saunders of Prattville, Ala., Ginny (Floyd) Ferguson of Fremont, Ohio, Mary Gibson of Bellevue, Judy Warwick of Butler, Pa., David Saunders of Fremont, Ohio, Virgil Saunders of Fremont, Joseph (Gill) Saunders of Fremont and Richard (Lisa) Saunders of Wetumka, Ala.; three uncles in Norwalk; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Stein; mother-in-law and father-in-law Dorothy and Howard Saunders; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Kathy was always doing for others. She will be lovingly remembered for her patience and kindness.

Blessed be her memory!