Laura Saunders (Craig)

Laura Lee Saunders, 92, of Blue Springs, MO, passed away in the early morning hours on Sunday, December 25, 2022. Laura was born on September 17, 1930, in Whitewater, KS to Randolph and Alice Craig. She loved adventure and had many throughout her life. Laura and her husband, Ray, were both private pilots. They also belonged to travel clubs that led them to traveling all across the world. Some of Laura’s adventures involved motorcycle trips and spending time on the boat at their lake house. Laura also loved hiking and camping and was able to do a lot of these during her 20 years of living in Colorado. She was a very skilled quilter and enjoyed creating new quilts for those she loved. Throughout her lifetime, she made hundreds of quilts. Laura worked in banking for many years in Kansas City and also when she moved to Colorado. When she moved back to Kansas City from Colorado, she opened Premiere Popcorn at Crown Center with her sister Nadine. They offered 30 different flavors of popcorn. They ran that popcorn store for a few years before selling it. Laura also loved reading, her cats, and of course she deeply loved her family and her Lord. For several decades Laura served in the nursery at her church. She loved taking care of the babies.

Laura is survived by her brother Robert Craig, sister Barbara (George) Thomas, daughter Dawna Aldredge, and many nieces and nephews who loved her very much. She is preceded in death by her parents Randolph and Alice Craig, her first husband Ray Aldredge, her husband Richard Saunders, sister Nadine (Frank) Bratcher, brothers Elton (Dorothy) Craig and Charles (Jacki) Craig, and sister-in-law Shirley Craig.

A visitation will be held from 10-11am on Tuesday January 3, 2023, at Speaks Suburban Chapel (18020 E 39th St Independence, MO) with a funeral service to immediately follow at 11am. Laura will be laid to rest at Blue Springs Cemetery in Blue Springs, MO.