Sauder, Wilfred Mark

Wilfred Mark Sauder
July 8th 1966 – November 14th 2025

Son of Wilfred Wilbert Sauder and Martha Marie Hirtle (previously Sauder) and stepfather Douglas St. Clair Hirtle.  Brother to Bob Hirtle, Rick (Marg) Sauder, Ernie (Kathy) Sauder, Ruth Sauder, Chris (Chris) Sauder, Lynne Crouch (Hirtle) and his sister-in-law Claudia Richard.  Wilf was Uncle to many.  Predeceased by Kurt Edward Sauder.  Husband to Marlene Nelson for 21 years.  Wilf was born into this long time White Rock family and spent his school years at Peace Arch Elementary and Earl Marriott Secondary.  He was confirmed and married in the Mount Olive Lutheran Church.  During high school he met Marlene and so many of the friends that surrounded him during the last few days of his life in the Peace Arch Hospital.  
Wilf liked to sing and was part of several bands.  He played the piano, the saxophone, the harmonica and the bass guitar.   He was a lover of all kinds of music (from Aretha to Zappa), animals, political satire, religion and philosophy.  Wilf also enjoyed drinking beer in the pub with his friends, sharing his opinions and family dinners.  Wilf was a good cook himself and loved mountain biking and playing softball while he could.  He raged against Trump, rallied for the Blue Jays and spent the last 5 years chasing his pain and attending medical professionals that did the best that they could do.  May he finally rest in peace.
Several memorial moments have already been held for Wilf including friends from his early days.  Kappa Sushi was always a hub and we enjoyed every birthday and celebration at the hands of Michiko san and Yoshi.  We filled the restaurant when Kurt passed and did the same for Wilf on December 28th, 2025.  The next event is an open invitation for all family and friends.  Come for whatever part you can.  Stay as long as you like.  Help celebrate the life of Wilf in the same fashion as we did for his dearly departed brother Kurt on Sunday July 5th, 2026 from 12:30pm – 3:30pm at Campbell Valley Park (the picnic shelter off  8th Avenue in Langley).  Everyone and their dogs are welcome.  Please RSVP Marlene by June 26th if you are able to come, only so I know how many to feed.    [email protected]
Wilfred and Kurt also each have a Train Plaque which will be installed in front of the White Rock Museum.  Look for them later in August of this year.  I leave you with Wilf’s favourite prayer (translated from Sanskrit).  

Look to this day
for it is life
the very life of life.
In its brief course lie all
the realities and truths of existence:
the joy of growth
the splendor of action
the glory of power.
For yesterday is but a memory
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today well lived
makes every yesterday a memory of happiness
and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.