BLUE EARTH — Gordon “GL” Saunders of Blue Earth passed away at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. He was 110 years old.

Graveside services with military honors in honor of Gordy will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Riverside Cemetery in Blue Earth.

Gordon LeVern was born on July 12, 1910, in rural Blue Earth to Charley and Della (Miller) Saunders. He graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1930.

He lived in Blue Earth for almost all his life. He had several jobs, including working in the plumbing and tile business.

Gordy enlisted in the United States Army in 1943. In the Army, he did a lot of repair work on planes. It is thought that Gordy might have been the oldest Minnesota WWII vet still living, but this has not been documented.

After his service, Gordy started his business, Gordon Saunders Painting & Decorating. He also did a lot of work with Ankeny and Wiederholt Builders.

Gordy married Catherine “Katy” Lang on Aug. 3, 1943, in Chicago, Ill. Katy was the love of his life.

Gordy retired on April 1, 1974. After retirement, he and Katy would spend summers up north. They frequented a campground in Walker, and later Bena. Gordy enjoyed cars and driving fast. He kept driving until he was 98 years old. He also enjoyed golf, bridge tournaments with Katy, and playing poker with his buddies. Gordy had his pilot’s license and did some flying in his day. He also enjoyed the outdoors. Hunting and fishing were probably Gordy’s biggest passions in life, after Katy of course. He went on many trips over the years with his friends, fishing in Canada and hunting all around the state. Gordy fished and hunting until his late 80s and shot his last buck at age 89.

Gordy is survived by his nephew, Gene (Debbie) Murphy of Blue Earth, and many more nieces, nephews and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Katy, in 2003; his siblings; and many of his good friends over the years.

Gordy’s family would like to thank St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center for the care and love they showed Gordy over the past 10 years.

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