Tom Saunders, age 98, was reunited in heaven with his wife and partner in farming, Ann, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at the New Glarus Home. He was born on February 2, 1925 in Monroe, WI the son of Edward and Mathilda (Sonderegger) Saunders. Tom attended the Dry Good Box School through 8th grade and graduated from Monroe High School in 1942. On January 22, 1947 he was united in marriage to Ann Blum, and they started their life of farming together. The couple farmed in the Monticello area and bought the Cross Road Farm in 1960. In 1980 they sold the Cross Road Farm then built a home on County C East of Monticello. After taking time to travel over the summer, Tom and Ann decided they should retire. As part of their retirement, they bought a farm on County Road D. “But no cows!” were part of the farm, said Tom. Tom and Ann would continue to farm well into their retirement, and Tom continued to do custom combining and baling until age 90. Tom and Ann both loved farming. Tom said, “I didn’t know anything else, so I had no choice.” With their second retirement Tom and Ann moved into Monticello, and they would also spend 33 winters in Arizona covering miles on their Gold Wing and exploring the mountains on the 4-wheeler with their Arizona friends. Tom was an active member of the Monticello Community Club and served as president for several years. It was during his time as president that Lake Montesian was developed following the construction of Highway 69. Tom also worked with the Community Club to relocate the ball park to its current location. For his efforts Tom was selected to throw the first pitch to celebrate the new ball park. As his effort didn’t quite make the plate, they should have had Ann throw the pitch as she was the softball player. Tom was very proud of his family and bragged he had the best partner anyone could ever ask for. They worked very hard together and tried to not miss any parties and dances over the years. Tom and Ann missed celebrating their 76th anniversary by one month when Ann died on December 22, 2022. Tom was never hesitant to talk about death as he was sure he would meet Ann in heaven.
Tom is survived by his four children Donald (Lynn) Saunders, Scott (Theresa) Saunders, Kris (Pat) Barry, and Kay (Dan) Freitag, grandchildren Sara (Jimmy) O’Brien, Melissa (Rod Mussehl) Anderson, Andrew (Whitney) Anderson, Kevin (Brittany) Barry, James (Elizabeth) Barry, Ryan (Margo) Barry, Matthew (Amanda) Saunders, Thomas Saunders, Brittany Andrews, and Matthew Andrews, seven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ann, brothers Francis “Bob”, Richard, and Gene, sisters Theresa, Kathryn, Betty, and infant sister Leona.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024 at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home, 109 Greenway Cross, Belleville, WI with Mary Gafner officiating. Burial will be in the Exeter Cemetery, Dayton, WI.
A visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home in Belleville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Monticello Community Club.
Online condolences may be given at www.bealfuneralhomes.com
