Saundra Hutchins

1938 - 2025

Long-time Mat-Su valley resident, Saundra Carolyn Hutchins, age 87, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital.
Saundra was born October 10, 1938, daughter to Herbert Merrill Bard and Florence Marie Bard, in Spokane, Washington and was the eldest of 10 children.
Saundra was an excellent student and graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in 1956. After graduation, she went to work for Pacific Telecom. Also, around this time, she met and began dating her future husband, Larry Hutchins. The couple were married December 21st, 1957.
In the summer of 1969, after the birth of her fourth son, Michael (1968), the family of six embarked on a vacation to Alaska. It was quite the adventure driving the Alaska Highway, camping, fishing and enjoying the outdoors. Shortly after arriving in Alaska, the family decided that they wanted to call Alaska home and stayed. This was the beginning of her life in Alaska.
In 1976, Saundra went to work as an executive secretary for the Mat-Su School Districts Transportation (bussing) department. It did not take long for Saundra to rise through ranks and was promoted to Pupil Transportation Coordinator. After retiring from the school district in 1995, Saundra began her second career selling real estate. She retired for good in 2005.
Saundra's relationship with Jesus Christ was of paramount importance to her throughout her life. She prayed daily that her family, loved ones and those she came in contact with, would come to know Christ in a personal way. Her family's church home for many years was Wasilla Assembly of God. At the time of her passing, Saundra & husband Larry were attending North Gate Alaska, their church home for several years. Saundra's commitment to her faith led her to volunteer at both Heartreach Center, as treasurer and Kairos Prison Ministry - Hiland Women's Correctional – as Advisory Council Chair.
Saundra was preceded in death by her parents, Hebert Merrill & Florence Marie Bard, brothers Kenneth Bard and Phillip Bard, sisters Lois Prinzing and Elaine Holmes-Ediger and brothers-in-law James Cockney, Douglas Madison and Steven Johnson.
Saundra is survived by her loving husband of nearly 68 years, Larry F. Hutchins, Sons & Daughter-In-Laws, Greg & Mary Hutchins, Richard & Nicole Hutchins and Michael & Jennifer Hutchins, and Son Eric Hutchins. She is also survived by sisters Linda Cockney, Diane Madison and Marsha Johnson, bothers Daniel Bard and Michael Bard and sisters-in-law Bonita Bard, Kim Bard and Debbie Barcus. Surviving grandchildren include Shannon (Gabe) Johnson, Colton (Mercedes) Hutchins, Alexandra (Andy) Jones, Alyssa Hutchins, Zachary (Hannah) Hutchins, Jacob Hutchins, Amanda Hutchins and Andie Mae Hutchins. Surviving great grandchildren include, Nathan, Jewel and Isabel Johnson, Evelyn Jones and Nora Hutchins.
Saundra was laid to rest October 24, 2025, at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery, during a graveside service attended by immediate family and officiated by Pastor Dennis Hotchkiss. A celebration of Saundra's life will be held at Northgate Alaska Church, 2900 N. Northgate Place, Wasilla, Alaska 99654, at 3:00 p.m. on November 15, 2025. All are welcome.