Adelaide Anne "Ann" Saari, 57, 4898 S. Salomaki Road, Maple, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in her home after a courageous battle with cirrhosis of the liver, a complication of diabetes, with her family by her side.
Ann was born Aug. 15, 1951, in Superior to E. Louise and Finley K. Stalvig Sr. She attended Superior schools, graduating from Superior High School and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College.
Ann and Duane Lee Saari were married Feb. 21, 1992, in Superior and owned and operated Duane Saari Logging in Maple. They enjoyed many outdoor activities, including camping and fishing trips together.
Ann had been employed as a certified nursing assistant by the former Parkland Health Facility and the former Tower, Colonial Terrace and St. Francis South nursing homes in Superior.
Among her many interests were looking for unusual agates, watching the deer that came into her yard, tending her flower gardens and feeding the birds at her many feeders. She took special interest in cardinals and this led to a large collection of cardinal figurines.
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Being a fan of Elvis Presley resulted in an extensive collection of Elvis memorabilia. Ann was a member of The Official Elvis Insiders club and enjoyed many hours on the computer, communicating with other members worldwide. She was thrilled when she and Duane traveled in 2002 and 2005 to visit Elvis' Graceland mansion and his birthplace home in Tupelo. In honor of Ann's love of Elvis, Duane named his hunting camp "Graceland."
Ann is survived by her loving husband, Duane; her daughter, Shannon Marie (Jason) Peterson, Maple; two grandsons, Ryan Michael Peterson and Dylan Lee Peterson, Maple; her father-in-law, Arnold Saari, Brule; a sister, Linda L. (Lee) McGonegal, Superior; two brothers, Finley K. Stalvig Jr., Proctor, and Frederick M. (Rita) Stalvig, Foxboro; a sister-in-law, Barbara (Gene) Follis, Brule; four brothers-in-law, Donald (Nadi) Saari of Gary, New Duluth, Steven Saari, Maple, Brian (Toni) Saari, Port Wing, and David (Alice) Saari, Maple; nieces, nephews; an uncle, aunts and cousins; Ann's special friends Rita and Dennis McDonald, Chuck Malec, Jo and Gary Peterson, Debbie Olson, Becky Carlson, Jim Ronning, Mike Lukkarila, Maureen Stark, Liz Burhans and Elsa Paulson.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents; a nephew, Jerikk Todd Stalvig and her mother-in-law, Lila Saari.
As a celebration of her life, a memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Whispering Pines Evangelical Free Church, County Road E, one mile south of County B, Hawthorne, with the Rev. Tom Lindberg officiating. Inurnment follows in the Maple Cemetery.
Special thanks to Dr. Ernest Peaslee of the Duluth Clinic, St. Mary's Medical Center's Hospice Program, especially Ann's favorite nurses, Gary Peterson and Renee Olson, and Eva Baker of the Indianhead Community Action home health program.
Ann delighted in spending time with her grandsons. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. All through her illness, she kept her sense of humor and quick wit. She is dearly missed by all, including her three dogs and two cats.
The Cremation Society of Minnesota in Duluth is assisting the family.
