Lila M. Saunders, age 97 of New Glarus passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at Monroe Health Services.  She was born on August 18, 1928 a daughter of Robert and Florence (Haessig) Duerst.  Lila attended the Dividing Ridge School and graduated from New Glarus High School in 1945.  She would continue her education at Green County Normal.  On January 8, 1949 she was united in marriage to Eugene Saunders.  Lila and Eugene farmed for forty-two years West of New Glarus, until moving into New Glarus in 1992.  Gene and Lila loved to dance together.  She was a member of the Meadow Valley Homemakers and enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and ceramics.  Lila also loved tending to her yard and garden both on the farm and at her house in New Glarus.  She was a member of the Swiss United Church of Christ.

Lila is survived by her children William (Deb) Saunders, Vickie Winters, and Laura (Pat) Nevil, grandchildren Dawn (Joe) Cockroft, Nicole (Justin) Nevil-Oppliger, Troy (Lindsey) Nevil, and Jesse (Hannah) Saunders, great-grandchildren Greyson, Gibson, & Lila Nevil-Oppliger, Tenley & Treyton Nevil, Wyatt & Kalie Cockroft, and Madison Saunders.  She is further survived by her brother Robert (Nancy) Duerst, Jr. and sister Lucinda Fahr, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gene, sister and brother-in-law Lela & Robert Ryan, brother-in-law Stephen Fahr, infant siblings Leland, Diana, & Donna, and a son-in-law George Winters.

Private family services will be held at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home in New Glarus with burial in the New Glarus Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Swiss United Church of Christ.