Phyllis Jean Paulson Saunders, of Grinnell, died on Monday, August 8, 2022. A memorial gathering will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home on Monday, August 15, 2022. A graveside service will be held for both Phyllis and her husband, Kenneth (Pepper) Leland Saunders, at 11:00 a.m. at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 where they will be buried together. Lunch will be served at Smith Funeral Home following the graveside service at approximately 12:00 p.m. Masks are strongly encouraged, but not required, for all events. Phyllis, born March 4, 1932 and the youngest of 8, grew up on a farm near Grinnell, attended a one-room schoolhouse until sixth grade, and then rode the school bus to Grinnell public schools. Phyllis was the valedictorian of her 1950 Grinnell High School class of 81 students. After graduation, Phyllis moved to Des Moines and worked part-time as a bookkeeper and cashier at a Thriftway grocery store while attending the American Institute of Business in downtown Des Moines where she graduated from the Junior Secretarial Course. Phyllis married Kenneth (Pepper) Saunders on December 31, 1951, at the United Methodist Church in Grinnell just prior to his deployment for South Korea with the United States Army. Phyllis remained at Thriftway until June 1953, when Pepper returned from South Korea. Lifelong residents of the Grinnell area, Phyllis and her beloved husband of 62 years, Pepper, owned Saunders DX from 1953 until 1985, with Phyllis fulfilling the role of bookkeeper and secretary. Phyllis was active in Cub Scouts and Blue Birds while her kids were involved and really enjoyed the years she delivered Meals on Wheels. Phyllis enjoyed making genealogy notebooks for both the Paulson and Saunders families, square dancing, quilting, embroidery, needlepoint, playing cards, and keeping a nice house for her family. Phyllis and Pepper were the original owners of the Grinnell home for 55 years where they raised their family. Phyllis moved to the Mayflower Community on June 12, 2014 enjoying several years in independent living at Buckley Hall transitioning to Beebe Hall and then the Health Center. She enjoyed seeing "old" friends as well as meeting "new" friends. Phyllis participated in many activities and appreciated the staff she stated always took good care of her. Phyllis is survived by her son Ken (Miriam) Saunders II of Grinnell, her daughter Diane Saunders (Gerald Brandt) of Gulf Shores, Alabama, and her sister-in-law Shirley Paulson of Grinnell, as well as many nieces and nephews. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Pepper (1-02-2014), parents Martin and Mae (Elmore) Paulson, four brothers, Howard (Bette), Merle (Viola), Keith, and an infant brother Ross, and three sisters, Ruth (Bill) Taylor, Doris (Lawrence) Sleeuwenhoek, and Genevieve (John (Bud)) Bailey. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mayflower Community Human Needs Fund.