Elaine Saari (Laakso)

Houghton- Elaine Norma Saari, 91, died at the Omega House on Sunday, November 17, after a lengthy illness. She was the daughter of Jacob (Jack) and Jennie Laakso of West Ishpeming. She was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School and was employed at JC Penney of Ishpeming after her graduation. On October 4, 1947, Elaine married Arvid John Saari of Palmer, MI, where they resided until 1995, and then in Sun City, Arizona, for the next 17 years. She moved to Chassell in 2012. Elaine is survived by her daughter, Susan Ryynanen of Camano Island, WA, and her son, Gary (Carol) Saari of Chassell, 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law Ruth Laakso of Milwaukee, WI, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceeded in death by Arvid, her husband of 58 years, her siblings and their spouses: Lydia (Dom) Paris, Viola (Clifford) Jaaksi, Miriam (Ken) Lentz, Elizabeth (Harry) Wood, Jeanette Pelto, Jack Norman Laakso, her sisters-in-law Ruth (Edwin) Laituri and Doris (Justin) Piper. Elaine was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Congregation of Houghton. Visitation will be at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church on Sharron Avenue in Houghton on Thursday, November 21, from 12 – 1 p.m. with a funeral service at 1 p.m., with David Taivalkoski officiating. Burial will take place in Phoenix, AZ, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. The family would like to thank the staff at Gardenview Assisted Living in Calumet, the staff and volunteers at the Omega House, and Aspirus Home Care and Hospice for the loving care that Elaine received. To view the obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel and Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock are assisting the family with the arrangements.