Ronald Paul Saunders

Ron Saunders of Detroit Lakes, MN passed away November 14, 2014. Ron was born to Ronald and Mayme Saunders on August 15, 1934 in Lakota, ND. When he was four, his family moved to St. Paul, MN. Ron graduated from Murray High School in 1952 and from the University of Minnesota in 1957 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. In March of 1957, Ron married the love of his life, Mary Mier in North Branch, MN. After serving two years in the Army as a 1st Lieutenant, Ron went to work for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, NY, Dallas, TX, and San Francisco, CA in the industrial paper sales sector. Deciding to move back to Minnesota in 1970, Ron worked for Univac and Olin Conductors. In 1972 Ron was offered a job to set up and run Arrow Electrical Supply Company of Minnesota in Detroit Lakes. He became the sole owner in 1987. Ron retired in 1996 and in 1998 Brian and Lisa Saunders bought the business. Ron was a third degree Mason and a Shriner. He served and was president of the Emmanuel Nursing Home Board and also served on the Board of Social Ministry. He was a long time member and board member of the Detroit Country Club. He was a past president of the Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary Club. He served on the Chamber of Commerce Board, the Detroit Lakes Planning Commission, and Our Savior's Lutheran Church Council in Chanhassen, MN. He was also very active in Detroit Lakes youth hockey, where he coached in the lower levels. He also served on the board of West Central Initiative and continued on the financial board of WCI until the time of his death. He had a passion for golf, hunting, fishing, bridge, and solitaire, but most of all his love and devotion to his family. Ron is survived by his wife Mary, children, Jane Nolden, of Austin, TX; Terry Saunders, of Seattle, WA; Brian (Lisa) Saunders, of Detroit Lakes, MN; Robert (Mary) Saunders, of Fargo, ND; and Linda (Troy) Mallow, of Detroit Lakes, MN; grandchildren, Katherine, Joshua, Zachary, Charlie, Mac, Ben, McKenna, Ian, Ryan, and Aidan. Preceding him in death were his parents, and grandson Matthew Saunders. In Lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Shriner's Hospital for Children of the Twin Cities, 2025 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55414, Attn: Theresa Barlow.