Merlene "Kay" Houghton Merlene Kay Houghton, affectionately known as Kay, was born on July 21, 1938, in Harlan, Iowa, to Merle and Jeane (Donnelly) Saunders. She graduated from Manning High School with the Class of 1956.

Kay proudly served her country in the United States Air Force. While serving, she met the love of her life, Raymond Houghton, and the couple was united in marriage on January 20, 1958, in Washington, D.C. They were blessed with three children: Jay, Dede, and Jeff.

Throughout Raymond's military career, the family moved frequently, making homes in Florida, Nebraska, Vermont, and Iowa, while also spending time stationed in Germany. As her children grew older, Kay worked various jobs, always balancing work with caring for her family.

In 1980, Kay and Raymond returned to Manning, where they purchased Saunders Steakhouse from family members and operated the restaurant for several years. Kay was also deeply involved in her community, volunteering at voter check-ins and attending numerous caucuses. She found great joy in baking and sewing, but her greatest joy came from being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Above all, Kay treasured the time she spent with her family, creating countless cherished memories through her kindness, caring heart, and unwavering love.

At the end of May 2026, Kay and her son, Jeff, moved back to Manning. It was there that she peacefully passed away on August 4, 2026, attaining the age of 88 years and 14 days.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Jeane Saunders; her husband, Raymond Houghton; and her siblings, Carl Saunders, Denny Saunders, Bill Saunders, and Millie Saunders York.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Jay Houghton of Tampa, Florida, Dede Houghton of Manning, Iowa, and Jeff Houghton of Manning, Iowa; her three grandchildren, Jacob, Sydney, and Jayce; along with many other relatives and friends.

Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, in the Nishnabotna Township Cemetery near Manilla. Memorials may be directed to the family.
https://www.ohdefuneralhome.com/obituaries/merlene-houghton

1956 MHS graduates: Janice Ahrendsen (salutatorian), Gordon Anthony, Carol Antone, Roger Barten, Gerald Beck, Robert Beisch, Dorothea Brus, Karen Carstens, Virginia Dammann, Deanna Donaghu, Delores Eckholdt, Roselle Ehlers, Mardella Friedrichsen, Robert Froyd, Beverly Genzen, Larry Genzen, Emil Grau, Roger Hagedorn, Allen Hargens, Roger Hinz, Larry Hodne, Darryl Jahn, Roger Joens, Roger Koepke, Janet Kuhl (valedictorian), Janice Laurinat, Shannon Mahnke, Allen Mohr, Joyce Nulle, Cynthia Peters, Ronald Peters, Janice Petersen, Dennis Ramsey, Noreen Kay Ramsey, Myrene Rowedder, Merlene Saunders, Raymond Thielen, Constance Trella, Eleanor Trella, Janice Vehrs, LeRoy Venteicher, Marcella Wanninger, Richard Wellendorf, Larry Witt

1956 former students: Erwin Barkalow, Nancy Dales, Larry Daugherty, Richard Enenbach, Verna Ford, Alan Friedrichsen, Rosemary Fritz, Art Fuller, Charles Fuss, Edwin Groppe, Jr., Ione Hicks, Roy Hinze, Michael Kellogg, Marlene Kinney, Sandra Lacy, Roger Littell, Paul Malven, Charlene McLaughlin, James McMahon, Sandra Mishler, Lila Nulle, Bill Porter, Jimmy Rohovit, Norma Rostermundt, Joyce Spence, Roy Stark, Brian Travis, Bobby Welker, Charles White, Dorothy Wiemann, William Wyatt

Kay (Saunders) Houghton & Angela (Kusel) Pratt at Bill Saunders' funeral in October 2021
Bill and Angela MHS 1965.

Lawrence Jay Houghton MHS 1978

Sharon "Dede" Houghton MHS 1979

Jeff Houghton MHS 1982

Jeff "Duff" Houghton and one of his fancy ball-handling layups

1955 Homecoming Royalty

Back: Sally Wanninger, Kay Saunders, Janet Kuhl, Delores Eckholdt, Myrene Rowedder
Front: Peggy Puck, Queen Deanna Donaghu, Craig Ruhde

Kay Saunders & Merlin Ramsey

September 18, 1957 Homecoming parade

Back: left: Rae Lynn Wycoff, center Darlene Eckholdt right Barbara Vollmer
driving: Carl Saunders, passenger Jack Hansen
unknown crown bearers

1956-57 football team, senior class

Back: Dennis Saunders, Jon Groteluschen, Robert Horbach, Larry Nielsen, Eugene Haberl, Dale Jansen, Ronnie Hodne, Larry Lohrmann
Front: Victor Schwiesow, Vernon Wagner, Larry Zerwas, Ray Fink, Tom Koon, Royce Genzen, Bob Laverty

13 standing: Roger Reinke, Donald Hodne, Cliff Stammer, Randall Jansen, Ron Timmerman, David Sextro, Rollin Kuhl, Gary Monson, Dennis Loftus, Marvin Vennink, Warren Puck, Coach Ray Standerwick, Coach John Beach
8 Third Row: Keith Hass, Junior Bonnesen, Philip Knaack, Larry Nielsen, Rob Horbach, Larry Zerwas, Ray Fink, Gary Neubaum
9 Second Row: Gary Koon, Allan Fonken, Dave Peters, Allen Laurinat, Larry Popp, Dale Jansen, Carl Saunders, Tom Koon, Dennis Grimm
9 Front Row: Victor Schwiesow, Jon Groteluschen, Bob Laverty, Larry Rowedder, Eugene Haberl, Royce Genzen, Larry Lohrmann, Ronald Hodne, Vernon Wagner

1957 baseball team

Back: Coach Ray Standerwick, Larry Rowedder, Carl Saunders, Allan Fonken, Robert Horbach, Bob Laverty, Larry Zerwas, Joel Grundmeier
Front: Ronald Timmerman, Victor Schwiesow, Larry Nielsen, Jon Groteluschen, Dick Popp, Vernon Wagner

1955 football team

Back: Coach John Beach, Warren Puck, Student Manager; Vernon Wagner, Robert Horbach, Ronnie Peters, Larry Genzen, Larry Nielsen, Eugene Haberl, Gary Koon, Tom Koon, Dale Jansen, Larry Zerwas, Larry Witt, Phil Knaack, Robert Beisch, Coach Ray Standerwick
Second: Victor Schwiesow, Allen Muhlbauer, Larry Lohrmann, Ronnie Hodne, Bob Froyd, Roger Hagedorn, Royce Genzen, Dennis Saunders, Bob Laverty, Carl Saunders, Allen Laurinat, Ray Fink
Front: Billy Genzen, Ronnie Mohr, Hans "Junior" Bonnesen, Larry Rowedder, Gary Monson, Keith Pfannkuch, Dennis Grimm, Dick Bowers, Richard Brockelsby, Keith Hass, Allan Fonken, David Peters

1956 Prom - Tulip Time for Holland

Back: Gary Neubaum, Carl Saunders, Allen Laurinat, Jerry Kasperbauer, Jim Kuker
Front: Judy Kuhl, Judy Hugg, Ruth Ohde, Darlene Eckholdt, Barb Vollmer
Missing: Gary Handlos, Allen Laurinat

1955-56 Fourth grade

Back: Lois Laverty - teacher, David Anderson, Mary Zerwas, Tom Bromert, Karla Kusel, LeRoy Joens, Karen Brady, John Swander, Georgia Schroeder, Gary Wiese, Bill Graner
Middle: John Lippincott, Jerry Hockett, Kent Weible, Joan Graves, Bob Venteicher, Linda Mundt, Patsy Popp, Ron McConnell, Rita Vehrs, Paul Vogl, ??
Front: Janice Ress, David Steckelberg, Gloria Mohr, Lance Monson, Dianna Volquartsen, Bill Saunders, Don Wagner, Gene Beckman, Bob Heithoff, Jack Ramsey, ?Gary Beck?, Genevieve Asmus

Junior high football (undefeated) 1960-61 seventh and eight grade.

Back: Charles Brotherton - coach, Nate Dappen, Doug Kusel, Albert "Butch" Jansen, Tom Schroeder
Third: Don Kingsbury, Lonnie Kasperbauer, Gary Eischeid, Steve Ruhde, Craig Grau, John Doyel, Dan Pratt
Second: Hilbert "Huey" Hoffman - manager, Steve Rutz, Phil Sextro, Bill Ohde, Bill Saunders, Mike Hoffman, Jeff Musfeldt, Daru Ross - manager
Front: Mark Joens, John Beckman, Nick Dappen, Dave Hass, Steve Musfeldt, Steve Atkins, Dennis Vaudt

1964 Football

Standing: Kelly Pratt, Gary Knueven, Ron Arp, Rick Hargens, Michael Blum, Allen Muhlbauer
Middle: David "Nubs" Dammann, Dave Rauch, Mark Joens, Douglas Kusel, Steve Ruhde, Dennis Ohde, Steve Atkins, Nicholas Dappen, John Beckman, Bruce "Stump" Rutz, Tom Jensen, Charles Moore
Front: Nathan Dappen, Jeff Musfeldt, Phil Sextro, Dan Pratt, Craig Grau, Tom Schroeder, Mike Hoffman, Steve Rutz, Curt Grimm, John Doyle, Bill Saunders, Ray Dentlinger, Lonny Kasperbauer

Kay Saunders

Dennis Saunders MHS 1957

Carl Saunders MHS 1958

Millie Saunders MHS 1975

Saunders Drive-in 1956

Saunders Steak House menu

1970 menu

Saunders Steak House ad in the 1981 Manning Centennial book

Merlin & Muriel Kunkel with Keith Kelderman (back) 1963 in Saunders Steak House

Ella (Mordhorst) & John Rowedder 45th anniversary in the Saunders Steak House

Sadly, all good things must come to an end!
Unfortunately, during the early years of digital photography, the images were much lower resolution - especially with the very expensive and very small hard drives.