Donald (Dada) R. Saari
LAKE WORTH, FL – Donald (Dada) R. Saari, 90, of Marquette, MI and Lake Worth, FL, died March 23, 2021 at JFK Memorial Hospital, Lake Worth in the presence of his family. He was born July 15 1930 to Victor and Tyne (Erickson) Saari.
Don was a graduate of Graverette High School class of 1949, where he lettered in Football, Basketball, and Track. He also spent many late nights playing hockey at the Palestra with his neighbors, the Olsen Brothers. Summers were spent playing Legion Baseball. During his last game he hit for the cycle and then threw out his arm while pitching. After high school, Don joined the National Guard and enrolled at NMU, where he played football and began a business degree.
In 1951, he left college to enlist in the Navy. In the Navy, Don was chosen to be an aid to the admiral’s staff. After 2 years he was transferred to be a quarter master aboard the Carrier USS Roosevelt followed by the USS Princeton. Upon being discharged in 1954, Don returned to Marquette and NMU to finish his degree. After graduation, he took a position of loan officer at CIT Financial.
On New Year’s Eve 1958, in Flannigan’s Bar, Don’s life changed forever. It is there he met his future wife, Marilyn Johnson. They were married in June of 1959 and four children followed. The years following were filled with fun and adventure, from camping in Yellowstone to spending countless weekends at their camps in Deerton and Martin Lake.
Don retired in 1981 from the First National Bank to become a snowbird, travel, and take up golf. He was a member of the Marquette Elks Lodge, American Legion, Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge, Redeemer Lutheran Church, and Our Savior Lutheran Church of Lake Worth.
Don is survived by his wife of 61 years Marilyn, four children, Mark (Rachel) Saari of Shorewood WI, Debra Blanchard of Lakeland FL, Karen Dodge of Boynton Beach FL, Diane Maher of West Palm Beach FL; Grandchildren Amberly Blanchard, Logan Blanchard, Samantha Maher, Kimberly Maher, and Luke Saari.
He was preceded in death by his brother Melvin, his parents Victor and Tyne, in laws Ruth (Johnson) Raish, Axle Johnson, and Freeman Pete Raish.
The Burial is being handled by Dorsey -E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens of Lake Worth. On April 6th small service will be performed at Our Savior Lutheran church of Lake Worth. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you please consider contributing to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.