Emma Lou Saunders

God saw the road was getting rough. And the hills were hard to climb. So, He closed you weary eyelids and whispered, “Peace be thine.” On May 26, 2023, in Vinita Oklahoma, Emma Lou Bontrager Saunders passed away. She was born on August 4, 1931, in Haven, Kansas. Emma Lou was a survivor of uterine cancer, breast cancer, and unbelievably 10-year pancreatic cancer survivor. She fought fiercely to live life. We will carry her in our hearts forever. Until we meet again in Heaven.

 Emma Lou is survived by her husband, Jerry Saunders, her daughter: Susan and husband Wayne Sullivan, and her son Jeffrey Caton. Her grandchildren: Megan and husband Will Ylitalo; Logan and wife Caitlin Sullivan, great grandchildren: Clara, David, and John Ylitalo, her brothers Glen, David and Eli Bontrager; Jerry’s children; daughters: Susy Yeager, Annette, and husband Randy Kutz, grandchildren: Joey and Kilee Yeager; Jeni and Tyler Rouse; Sallie and Nathan Hughes; Zach and Chloe Kutz great grandchildren: Fisher, Wyatt, and Clara Yeager Cadence and Porter Hughes; Emma, Nora, and Wilder Rouse.

 Emma Lou is preceded in death by her parents, D.Y. and Susan Bontrager, hger brothers: JD, Abe, Dan, Roy, and Ira. her sisters Ida Yoder, Clara Yoder, and Mae Popp. honorary pallbearers will be Emma Lou’s nephews Allen Yoder, Jory Popp, Hal Popp, Brian Bontrager. Donations may be made in her name to: Via Life Hospice 100 South Rowe Pryor Oklahoma, 74361 or South Grand Lake Christian Church. A Memorial Service will be held on June 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. South Grand Lake Christian Church, 446205 E 350 Road Vinita, OK 74350 918.782.4463. Interment will be at Yoder Mennonite Cemetery, Yoder, Kansas. “Don’t cry because something has ended…smile because it happened.”