Kathryn Frances Saunders

On the evening of October 2, Kathryn went home to be with The Lord. Lung cancer spread fast. She was surrounded by her son, Randy, daughter, Debbie, and her grandchildren, They were holding her hands, loving on her until she left this world to eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Survived by her husband, Bill Saunders, her children, and grandchildren. Her sister, Barbara Miller, brother, Fred Harshberger and many cousins.

Many friends refer to Kathryn as Kathy, affectionately known as mom, and grandma. She always said, “Make sure you don’t plan your wedding, birth of your baby, or funeral on a ceramic/craft/jewelry show weekend, because you know where I’ll be!”;)

Born in Iowa, to parents Fred and Bernice Harshberger. She was baptized by Rev. Roger Williams. They also lived in Minnesota and Missouri. She and brother Ken performed for the USO troops as little kids. They raised afghan dogs, had fun in parades and as she put it, “Walked in 3 miles of snow to get to school and back in a dress each day;)” The Harshberger family moved with her siblings, Ken, Judie, Barbara, and Fred to San Fernando Valley, California in the 1950’s.

She was married in 1961 and had 4 children, Steve, Carolyn, Debbie and Randy. She raised her kids in the San Fernando Valley taking them to school, dance lessons, Cub Scouts, drama, baseball, art lessons, baton twirling practice and parades, and many doctor appointments that filled her days.

Being very creative, she developed many artistic skills. Beautiful crocheting, rug making, all aspects ceramic making, painting, glazing, Raku glazing, (Where she won several Ceramic Awards for her huge Cougar & Eagle, etc.) doll making, quilting and sewing, jewelry creations, stamping and many other crafts.

Known for her great sense of humor, she loved jokes, funny sayings and uplifting others, even total strangers. She has gained many friends throughout her life, special, dear friends including: Norma Bray, Karen Abbott, Joy Saunders, Lydia Delgado, Phyllis Grates, Judy Carlson, and Sharon. They had many laughs and good times together, from raising children, roller skating, fixing their cars, cooking together, making ceramics, designing quilts, to attending each other's family events, weddings, birthdays, etc., going to parades, painting ceramics, car trips and adventures.

Having a Love for reading, she has read, who knows…1000’s of books in her lifetime? She loved a good Autobiography or Biography. She loved reading about celebrities and just about ordinary people and the trials and tribulations they have gone through. She read lots of other kinds of books as well.

She married William J. Saunders in 1985, both in their 40’s with Bill’s youngest daughter Tami 16 and Kathy’s youngest, Randy 15 years old, they all moved to Villa Park California for a short time, then to Vista, California, where they bought a home and lived there for about 20 years.

Kathy started working at their franchise of National Rent A Car, in Escondido California and Bill joined her where they had a thriving business for many years. Working just about 7 days a week for over 10 years.

Bill and Kathy went on many fun trips together in the United States and all over Europe, including many cruises.

They moved to Tigard, Oregon in 2004, where Bill’s company was relocated. They then acquired Chip Star Technolgy, LLC. about 13 years ago and it has been very successful.