Thomas E. Saunders

Thomas E. Saunders, 96, of Aberdeen, SD, died Monday, March 21, 2022, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD.

Thomas E. Saunders was born on July 23, 1925 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen to Earl Michael and Mary Ellen (Reilly) Saunders. He was raised in the Stratford area, graduating from Stratford High School in 1943. Tom enlisted in the US Army Air Corp Cadet Program on September 10, 1943. He ultimately trained as a crew member on the B-29 Bomber. He was Honorably Discharged on March 19, 1946.

Tom was united in marriage to Phyllis Faye Radke on November 24, 1948 at Vermillion, SD. He graduated from the University on South Dakota, Vermillion, May of 1950. He then entered on duty with FBI on October 30, 1950. After training he served at Houston, Texas, Wilkes-Barre & Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Glasgow, Montana, Minneapolis Minnesota, and Aberdeen, SD. Before retiring on December 30, 1977. In 1978 he began employment with F&M (Dakota Bank), Aberdeen. After retiring in 1991 he continued to make Aberdeen his home.

Tom was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Westerners Int. (History) and Kiwanis International Elks.

Grateful for having shared Thomas’s life are children: Kathleen Saunders (Dan Rowe), George (Mary) Saunders, Theresa (Rocky) Long, Laura Saunders, and Dan Saunders; grandchildren: Colleen (Jeff) Baker, Sheila Rowe, Jessica (Brian) Shawn, Joshua (Emilie) Saunders, Richard (Lacey) Hilgemann, Michael Hilgemann; great-grandchildren: Brianne, Brooke, Azad, Jamal, Shilair, Amelia, Jack, Winn, and Everly; and great-great-grandchildren: Liam, Jaxon, Kora, Leo, Grayson, and Harley.

Preceding Thomas in death are his wife, Phyllis Saunders; parents; son, George Thomas; infant brother, John; and siblings: James Saunders and Margaret Saunders Bertsch.