Donald Arthur Saari

Donald Arthur “Don” Saari, 88, passed away on August 24, 2026. Born January 17, 1938, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Don was the son of Toivo and Genevieve (Rian )Saari.

Don grew up in northern Minnesota, living in several communities before graduating from Grand Rapids Senior High School in 1955. His Minnesota roots remained an important part of his life, particularly through his lifelong love of hockey. Don first learned to skate and play the game as a boy while living in Taconite, Minnesota. Hockey remained a passion throughout his life. He coached youth hockey in the late 1980s and continued lacing up his own skates and playing the game until the remarkable age of 75.

In January 1956, Don enlisted in the United States Army. Following basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, he was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia. His military career continued in the Army Reserve, where he advanced through the enlisted ranks before becoming a Warrant Officer and later receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant. His military service marked the beginning of a long and distinguished career serving his country.

Don went on to build a career with the United States Department of Defense, holding increasingly responsible positions with the Army Reserve, Army Materiel Command, the Navy and ultimately the Defense Logistics Agency. His career took him and his family to several parts of the country before bringing him to Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1979. Along the way, Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. He retired from the Department of Defense in 1993 after decades of federal service and continued working for several years as a consultant, with his work taking him as far as Singapore.

Retirement gave Don the opportunity to devote more time to another lifelong passion: classic automobiles. Never content simply to admire an old car, Don enjoyed rebuilding, modifying and customizing them himself. He even took a welding class after retirement so he could tackle more of the work in his own garage.

Over the years, Don took on numerous automotive projects, but one especially meaningful project was his 1953 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday two-door hardtop. After searching for years for the car he wanted, Don finally located one in Minnesota, brought it home to Michigan and began the extensive process of making it his own. He loved the challenge of tracking down parts, solving mechanical problems and figuring out how to make something work. His own words perhaps described his enthusiasm for the hobby best: “There can’t be much more fun than this!”

For the final 35 years of his life, Don shared his life with his loving wife, Lee Ann Hook (née Wideman). Together they built a life surrounded by family and the memories that come from more than three decades together.

Don is survived by his wife, Lee Ann Hook; his daughters, Karen Kunzelmann of High Ridge, Missouri, and Donna Saari of Pinetops, North Carolina; his son, Jason Saari and his wife, Jenny Sawyer, of Kalamazoo, Michigan; his stepdaughter, Kathy Detweiler and her husband, Evan, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and his stepsons, Aaron Hook and his wife, Kristin, and Trevor Hook, both of Battle Creek, Michigan.

He is also survived by his brother, Glenn Saari and his wife, Sally, of Duluth, Minnesota, and his sister, Marie Olson of Isanti, Minnesota, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were an important part of his life and legacy.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Toivo and Genevieve Saari; his brothers, Gene Saari and Mark Perkkio; and his sister, Marcella Snyder.

Don lived a full life marked by service, hard work, curiosity and a determination to keep doing the things he loved. From his beginnings in northern Minnesota and his service to his country, to decades spent on the ice and countless hours working on classic cars in his garage, Don remained active, inquisitive and engaged with the world around him. He leaves behind a life filled with accomplishments, experiences and memories that will continue through the family who loved him.

Don’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the med techs and entire memory care team who cared for him for the kindness, compassion and dignity they showed Don during his time in their care.

The family has chosen to remember Don privately, and no funeral service will be held.

Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.