Joyce Saunders

Joyce Ferne Lamb Saunders was born in the middle of a ranch in Lyon County close to Allen, Kansas, on October 3, 1928. She gained her heavenly reward on Friday, September 4, 2026, at The Mapleton, in Eureka, at the age of 97 – 29 days short of her 98th birthday.

She and her parents Riley Butterfield and Inez Alberta (Anderson) Lamb moved into Emporia when Joyce was 2 weeks old. She was an only child. The Lamb family moved to Eureka when Joyce started First grade at Random School in 1932. In school she was active in music, a Pepperette, Girl Reserves, Secretarial Club, and a class officer. She graduated from Eureka High School with honors in 1946. After high school Joyce went to work at JC Penney in Eureka, clerking and in the office. She was president of Phi Beta Psi, a social sorority and sang in Sweet Adeline’s. She later became a member of Eureka Music Club.

Joyce married Jim Saunders in 1948. To this union came two children, Joyce Leanne and James Charles. The births of her children coincided with the building of Jim’s AG (1963) and The Copper Kettle (1967). Joyce remained instrumental in the accounting and payroll of the family businesses, the store, restaurant, farm and personal throughout her marriage.

She enjoyed the activities of her children and was a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader. The marriage was resolved in divorce in 1979. Joyce went to work for Bob and Ruth Stonebraker, managing “The Place” and doing accounting. Joyce became active in Parents without Partners. She enjoyed the company of two traveling companions, Dr. Don Ferrell and Chris Tenbrack. She enjoyed traveling and seeing many parts of the world. She also enjoyed dancing and was president of Golden Agers. Joyce was the caregiver for her Aunt Helen Stephanic, her mother’s sister.

In later years Joyce became active on the board of Eureka Sr Center. She served as president for many years and also on the County board of the Dept of Aging, serving as president until the time of her death. She maintained the family home on 7th and Pine until health complications required more care. She enjoyed living at The Mapleton and was tenderly cared for there in her last months.

Joyce is survived by her two children, Leanne and husband, Tom McKee of El Dorado; and JC and wife Susan Saunders of Lehigh; four grandchildren: Thomas Riley McKee and his wife Christine; Anna Faith McKee-Ramey and her husband Landon; Jessica Jo Saunders; and Samantha Jaymes Saunders; and three great grandchildren, Everett Carl Ramey, Warren Harrison McKee, and Eloise Ferne Ramey. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, September 11, 2026 at Farmington Cemetery, Fredonia where her parents and many other family members have been laid to rest. Friends can offer condolences to the family at Koup Family Funeral Home from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Thursday. Memorial gifts can be made to benefit First United Methodist Women, Eureka Senior Center Transportation or the Eureka Music Club. Contributions may be sent in care of Koup Family Funeral Home, PO Box 595, Eureka KS 67045, which is overseeing arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family online, at koupfunerals.com.