Joline "Jo" Saunders' Obituary

We're very sad to inform you that former Madison College diatetics instructor Joline "Jo" Saunders has passed away. Here's her obituary:

Joline "Jo" Saunders
Verona
Joline "Jo" Saunders, age 84, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 15, 2011, after a long battle with cancer.

She was born on Aug. 13, 1926, in Ithaca, N.Y., the daughter of Isaac and Marie Hall. Jo married Edgar Saunders in September 1941, and together they spent most of their life in Madison, raising their four sons, or summers in Canada, enjoying the great outdoors.

Jo never really retired and spent her career in the healthcare and dietetics profession - working until her final days with colleagues from the Wisconsin Dietetics Association (WDA) and students from Madison College. She was a past president of the WDA and supported the organization for almost 50 years. She held many professional positions in the dietetics arena, and over the past few decades was an instructor at Madison College, nurturing new talent into the profession.

Jo and Ed were happiest spending time in Canada on their island
"Isle-B-Back" with family and friends - fishing and listening to the loons. They both belonged to the Madison Curling Club and were members since 1964. She was an avid curler in both women's and couples teams. She and Ed curled in local, state, and national competitions.

Jo was active in the Girl Scouts organization for more than 20 years, including many years as the leader of Mariner Scout Troop Ship No. 4, where canoeing, swimming, and drill team activities were the order of the day. Jo was also a very avid gardener, with a jungle of plants in her home. She belonged to several garden clubs and won many awards for her floral entries. Jo's favorite hobby however was sewing - particularly designing and sewing wedding and bridesmaids dresses, a skill she learned from her Grandmother. She made the wedding dresses for all her daughters-in-law, as well as for many grandchildren, nieces and friends.

For the past nine years Jo traveled the world extensively - even while continuing to work - with Dr. Ted Johnston, a dear family friend of 45 years, from Wyoming.

Jo graduated from West High School in 1944 and the University of Wisconsin in 1962. She was a member of the First Baptist Church (Franklin Avenue, Madison).

Jo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and good friend and supporter. Jo is survived by her four sons: Ron (Jane), Jeff (Kathy), Gary (Dorota) and Scott (Susan); and her beloved cat, Jazzie (Tom). She is also survived by her brother David, and sister-in-law Pat. Jo has 11 grandchildren: Shane (Andrea), Matthew (Jessica), Cindy (Tim), Sara (Scott), Nicole (Jake), James, Jaclyn, Jonathan, Sebastian, Jamie (Jeremy) and Reannon; as well as 10 great-grandchildren: Kylee, Lexie, Michael, Rossalyn, Darwin, Mileva, Gloria, Tyler, Issac and Elin; along with many nieces and nephews.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar; her brother, James; and her parents.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. - noon on Thursday, May 19, 2011, at Cress Funeral Home, located at 3610 Speedway Road in Madison, followed by the funeral service also held at Cress Funeral Home. Per Jo's wishes,
a "celebration of life" gathering will be held after the services. Friends and family are invited to join in the celebration at The Draft House, located at 1010 Enterprise Drive in Verona.

Those wishing to express their sympathy may donate to the Wisconsin Dietetics Association - Jo Saunders Scholarship Fund, 1411 West Montgomery Street, Sparta, WI 54656.

For more information:
Please contact Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, (608) 238-3434.