Saundra Bryn

On March 7, 2023, Saundra Bryn, our “just stinkin’ fabulous” mother, grandmother, friend, educator and business woman left us behind for a better party!

Born in 1944, her life was filled with purpose, integrity, fairness, and (above all) laughter as she championed civil rights, education, and – always – a good time! She was reared (not raised!) by loving parents (Odin and Lorna Bryn) and incessantly “pestered” by her younger and equally dynamic sister (Bonnie Bryn Hoffert) in Minot, ND. They all lived life as “proud Norwegians.”

Saundra attended Minot HS and Minot College, earning her Bachelor’s degree in education. Her daughter, Cassaundra Harmon Wagenseller (Paul), was born in 1964. In 1969, the family moved to Phoenix, AZ. Her son, Eric Bryn Harmon (Jessica) was born in 1971.

Saundra taught middle school English at Ironwood Elementary School while she earned her doctorate at Northern Arizona University. Through her career in education, she worked as a curriculum specialist in the Washington Elementary School District and curriculum director at Dysart Unified School District. After spending some years as the principal at Dysart Junior High, she moved to Arizona State University where she was a professor in the education department, imparting her passion for education to future middle school teachers.

After her father’s death in the late ’90s, and to everyone’s surprise, she left ASU and took over the family business (Desert’s Edge RV Resort). Although she swore she would never be a part of it, for the next 17 years she not only reinvented the resort and learned the RV business, she twice won National Park of the Year as well as many other awards.

Shortly after selling the RV resort, she was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia. Although a devastating diagnosis, with the help of her family and friends, she made the best of her disease. She continued to laugh (and snort!) and was always the life of the party – even in memory care!

Along with her two children, (3 if you count her beloved Norwegian Forest cat, Hunter!), a nephew (Adam Hoffert), she was “Granny” to 5 grandchildren (Christopher Dirren, Ryan Bryn, London Ames, Lauren Ames, Payton Ames), 5 great-grandchildren, her longtime love (Dan Richards), and too many friends to count! The impact of her life on the people she left behind is nothing short of immeasurable – what a life and what a legacy!

The family has requested in lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Women for Women International.

Memorial services will be private.

Published by The Minot Daily News March 14, 2023.