Jacqueline J. Saunders

Jacqueline J. Saunders, 88, of Columbus, WI passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026 at Prairie Ridge Health center in Columbus.

She was born May 16, 1938 the daughter of E.M. Goodman and Ethel (Bowen) Goodman in Oak Park, Illinois. Shortly thereafter they moved to Evansville, Wisconsin. And in the following years they lived in various places, including Milton, Edgerton, and Janesville. She loved being on the farm and raising animals.

During her high school years, she attended Wisconsin Academy in Columbus, along with her older sister Nancy. It was there that she learned to play piano. What she didn’t learn from lessons, she taught herself. She was a wonderful singer, singing in choir and in several different trios. On one occasion, she sang with Del Delker.

After Academy, she went to college at Andrews University for a short time, married, and had two boys who were her pride and joy. She loved them tremendously, raising them through many hard times.

On November 19, 1993, she was married to Richard “Dick” Saunders in Madison, WI. They were very happy together.

Jackie had been an administrative secretary for the Wisconsin conference of SDA in Madison for many years, as well as the Colorado conference. Earlier in her career, she worked at the Hinsdale Sanitarium in Hinsdale, Illinois. Then was a house parent and managed Lariat Boys Ranch in Nebraska.

Jackie is survived by her sons, Greg (Veronica) Minier of Penn Valley, California and Michael (Judy) Minier of Oxford, WI; grandchildren: Rachel Minier, Josh (Charlene) Larson, Amy (Michael) Bartelt and Randi Jo Dewees; 10 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren; her sisters: Nancy England and Ruthann Tucker and her step children: Dick Saunders Jr. , Don (Eileen)Saunders , Pam Saunders, and Beth ( Phil) Buss.

She is further survived by nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dick, sisters, Caroline and Ellen, brother Eugene, and step sons: Dave and Dale Saunders.

Inurnment will take place at Prairie Mound Cemetery in Oregon, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held at Madison East SDA church in Madison, WI on Sunday, June 21st. at 11:30 am.