Douglas ‘Doug’ Saunders

Douglas “Doug” Saunders, 84, of Charles City, passed away Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Charles City with family by his side.

A funeral service for Doug Saunders will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City with Pastor Don Preston officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.

Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until the start of the funeral service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be given to Trinity United Methodist Church, the Charles City Elks Lodge #418 or the Charles City Lions Club in Doug’s honor.

A celebration of Doug’s life will continue at the Charles City Elks Lodge #418 starting at 4 p.m. on Friday.

Douglas Arthur Saunders, the son of Junior and Gladys (Petersen) Saunders, was born Sept. 4, 1940, in Norfolk, Nebraska. Doug was raised in Belmond, Iowa where he received his education and graduated from Belmond High School in 1958. Doug then attended Hamilton Business School in Mason City.

After his schooling, Doug began working for Embusk and Company in Mason City as a staff accountant. While working in Mason City he met Jan Stephens and the couple was married on Oct. 27, 1963, the same year they moved to Charles City where Doug began working for Ken Burke as an accountant. Doug passed the CPA exam in 1966 and became a partner before owning his own firm and retiring in 2000.

Doug was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Lions Club and the Elks Lodge (where he enjoyed playing Euchre).  Doug’s interests were attending (coaching as he liked to call it) his grandchildren’s sporting events. He loved the game of golf and was a longtime member and stockholder of the Charles City Country Club. Doug was also able to enjoy golfing during the 20 years of wintering in Sun City, Arizona with the love of his life, Jan.

Living family members include his wife, Jan Saunders; daughter, Julie (Mark) Sindlinger; son, Kevin (Audra) Saunders; grandchildren: Jessie (Landon) Schultz, Jamie Sindlinger and Jodie Sindlinger; great-grandson, Sawyer Schultz; sister, Cindy Groff; brother-in-law, Jerry (Kathy) Stephens; sister-in-law, Joyce (Chuck) Kirkendall; along with several nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Junior and Gladys Saunders; parents-in-law, Harold and Helen Stephens; brother-in-law, Richard Groff; and great-nephew, Cameron Broderick.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.