Leslie Wayne Les Saunders

Leslie Wayne "Les" Saunders, 73, of Livingston, passed away as the result of a recent neurological disorder diagnosis on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at Livingston HealthCare Hospital. A Memorial Funeral Service will be held 11 A.M., Wednesday, November 26, at the Livingston Christian Center. A Fellowship reception will follow the service. Committal Service and Interment will be at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman following the reception. Memorials are preferred to: St. Marys Catholic School Scholarship Fund: 11 S F Street; Livingston, MT 59047. Les was born on July 1, 1941, in Whitetail, Montana. He was the son of Laurence and Edna (Marriage) Saunders. At age five the family relocated to Bozeman where Les received his education and was a graduate of the Bozeman Senior High School Class of 1959. Les continued his education attending Montana State University in Bozeman. In 1961 Les met Linda L. Koerber. He was the big college man in his 57 Chevy and stole her heart. On October 12, 1963, Les was united in marriage to Linda, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Bozeman. This marriage was blessed with three children: twins, daughter, Lori and son, Larry and then another daughter, Lee Anne. Les and Linda shared 51 years of marriage. Following college Les began his career with the Montana State Highway Department. He and Linda lived in Bozeman for a year after their marriage. Les was then transferred to the Livingston office and he and Linda made their home together here. Les was employed as a project manager for the Highway Dept.; he was a hard-working, intelligent and meticulous man. His grandchildren were so proud that Grandpa was the one who built the roads. Les retired young in 1994. He began a second career shortly thereafter with J.T.L. Road Construction; he managed road projects in the private sector for several more years until his second retirement in 2001. Les was a memorable man. If you have had the experience of being on the receiving end of one of his pranks, you will know what we are talking about. Les and Linda had a fireworks stand and he would put his extra pop-its to work, putting them under the toilet seat to pop when you sat down, or putting them in Lindas cigarette to give her a jolt. He was a Doctor (of B.S.ing) and had even acquired the native name of "Walking Eagle", (too full of BS to fly). Les had another side as well; he was a caring and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He coached Larrys little league teams and was in attendance at every sporting event he could be to support the grandkids. He was competitive himself and hated to be on the losing end of anything. He loved watching all sports, playing cards, he could count cards three decks deep; was a bowler and enjoyed to hunt and fish. A memorable man, we will remember him for the smiles he shared and the laughs he encouraged with his tricks and B.S. Our love is with you Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Friend. Les is survived by his: Loving wife of 51 years, Linda Saunders of Livingston. Children, Lori Chapman and her husband Joe of Livingston, Larry Saunders and his longtime companion, Gerry of Laramie, WY and Lee Anne Saunders of Livingston. Grandchildren, Benjamin Johnson, Kristina Johnson, Cory (Stacy) Chapman and Meagan (James) Whitcher, Allan Saunders and Erika Saunders. Sister, Mary R. Grant of Bozeman and Brother, Allen Dean Saunders and his wife Ellenore of Jackson Hole, WY. Sisters-in-law, Teresa "Petie" Rockafellow and her husband, Rocky of Livingston and Madalyn "Maggie" Guggia of Livingston and California. Brother-in-law Michael Stoltz of Oregon. Uncle, Donald Marriage and his wife Betty of Loveland, CO. Nieces, nephews, cousins and many other relatives and friends. Les is preceded in death by his Parents, Laurence and Edna Saunders, Sister Alice R. Stoltz, In-laws, Joseph Koerber, Mary Ann Hendershott, Jeannie ORourke and Barbara Fior. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.