Eugene R. Saunders, age 91 passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2020 at the Monroe Clinic Hospice Home. He was born on January 1, 1929 in Monroe the son of Edward and Mathilda (Sonderegger) Saunders. On January 8, 1949 he was united in marriage to Lila Duerst at St. Victor Catholic Church. Gene farmed in the Town of New Glarus and served on the Board of Directors for the Farmers Grove Cheese Factory, New Glarus Feed & Fuel, and the New Glarus Stock Yards. On the farm and as a collector Gene preferred Oliver Tractors. He was a member of the Swiss United Church of Christ in New Glarus.

Gene is survived by his wife Lila, children Vickie Winters, Bill (Deb Guyette) Saunders, and Laura (Pat) Nevil, grandchildren Dawn (Joe) Cockroft, Nicole (Justin) Nevil-Oppliger, Troy (Lindsey) Nevil, Jesse (Hannah Taylor) Saunders, great-grandchildren Greyson, Gibson, and Lila Nevil-Oppliger, Tenley & Treyton Nevil; Wyatt & Kalie Cockroft. He is further survived by a brother Tom (Ann) Saunders, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Francis "Bob" Saunders and Richard Saunders, and four sisters Theresa Phillips, Kathryn Cosgrove, Betty Busser, and infant Leona.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 Sixth Ave., New Glarus, WI with Pat Pluss officiating. Burial will be in the Swiss Church Cemetery.

A visitation will precede the funeral service from 10:00 a.m. until time of services on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home in New Glarus.

Memorials are suggested to the Monroe Clinic Hospice.