Carl Alan Saunders

Carl A. Saunders Carl Alan Saunders, 83, of Fort Madison, died peacefully Thursday, August 17, 2023, with his wife, Debbie, and his children at his side. Carl lost his first kidney in 2000, and his second kidney started failing in 2018. He has fought a losing battle over the past 3 years since starting dialysis. His will to push through and live never wavered regardless of the tremendous medical hurdles that came, one after the other. His grit, humility, and unbending strength throughout this painful journey has filled those that love him with so much pride. Ultimately, his body could not hold him any longer.

Carl was born July 27, 1940, to Jeanne (Donnelly) and Merle Saunders. Carl grew up a Catholic farm boy in Manning, Iowa with his siblings: Kay Houghton who survives him, Dennis, William, and Mildred. He graduated from Manning High School in 1958, started college at Iowa State, however two weeks in, while in a lecture, he had a change of heart. He quit and joined the Navy. After Carl's medical discharge from the Navy, he decided to give his education a second go, this time at the University of Iowa, where he would go on to receive his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1967.

Carl met Susan Welch while studying in Iowa City. They married and moved to Fort Madison for Carl to begin his law practice and start a family. Carl and Sue raised three children, Michael, Stephen and Emily. The family suffered a tragic loss of Stephen's unexpected death in 1989, which would serve to deepen the family's faith.

Carl married the love of his life, Debra (Reynolds) Saunders on May 2, 1992. Debbie brought two more children into Carl's life, Ross, and Jill. Debbie worked as Carl's legal secretary and together they navigated a career in law spanning more than five decades. Their passion for the law inspired their children to follow suit. Emily first joined her dad's firm in 1999 until she took the bench in 2007; Ross next joined the firm in 2012 until he became the Lee County Attorney in 2017, Jill joined the firm as a paralegal in 2015, and Carl's daughter-in-law, Trina, also was a paralegal for many years in Illinois. Carl was a beloved member of the local bar association. He held himself to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and compassion.

Carl was a lifelong athlete. As a typical kid growing up in a small town, he played every sport. As an adult, Carl enjoyed softball teams, tennis leagues, racquetball, biking, basketball leagues and running. He was a dad coach of many baseball teams and loved teaching his children to swim and play tennis. He would bike RAGBRAI four times, including once with Michael and twice with Emily, and founded Fort Madison's still-active Team Gnarley. He ran a marathon and helped coach Emily in running hers. Carl taught countless children to swim, first as a job through law school, and then locally by opening up his private pools to neighborhood children to utilize any time he would put the flag out (the signal the pool was open for business).

When Michael joined the Aquinas tennis team in Fort Madison in 1984, Carl created a fundraiser, The Tennis Court Gala, that funded the installation of four tennis courts at Aquinas high school. Carl was a lifelong servant to the Fort Madison Catholic school system, serving as school board president for several years. Although providing the tennis courts to Aquinas was a huge accomplishment for Carl, his most important contribution, at least fiscally, came in establishing the Tri State Rodeo concessions contract for Aquinas in the 1980s, which continues to serve as the school's largest annual fundraiser involving hundreds of students and families. Carl loved the rodeo and served as rodeo chairman for what would be known as the wettest rodeo in history.

Carl adored being a dad, a husband, and a grandpa. He and Debbie fell in love with Sanibel Island, Florida where they would vacation annually and open their door for all children and grandchildren to join. Carl was a lifelong Cub fan. He and Debbie, along with Michael and Trina and their boys, witnessed a dream come true in 2016 watching the Cubs win the World Series. Because of Carl, every child and grandchild of his are Cub fans for life, each taking in dozens of games at Wrigley with him over the years.

Carl loved coffee with the guys, a convertible ride with his wife, a train ride into Chicago, a margarita on the beach, a martini at night, and a home-cooked meal with family. "Gross Carlos" as his friends called him, had a lightning quick, sarcastic wit that could cut through the toughest of times. He had a faith that never faltered. His love and pride in family sets an example for all who were blessed to know him.

Carl is survived by his wife, Debra; sister, Kay Houghton; son, Michael (Trina) Saunders; daughter, Emily (Brent) Ruther; son, Ross (Sarah) Braden; and daughter, Jill (Adrian) McKay. Surviving grandchildren include: Katie (Jacob) Ludy with great-grandson, Eli; Rachel, Caleb, and Joshua Saunders; Alex (Olivia) Dean; Noah Dean; Annaka and Mia Ruther; Mylin and Vayda Braden; and Braden and Julian McKay. Carl is now reunited in Heaven with son, Stevie, along with his parents and siblings, Denny, Bill, and Milly.

The family will hold a private mass in the coming days. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. Per Carl's wishes, an Irish Wake will be held this fall and announcements will be sent out. Memorials have been established for P.A.W. Animal Shelter, 2031 48th Street, Fort Madison, IA 52627 or Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, C/O Thomas Gendron, 2600 Avenue A, Fort Madison, IA 52627. The family asks that they be sent directly to those entities. Online condolences to Carl's family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.