Edward C. Saari

Edward Chester Saari, 85, Devils Lake, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018 at CHI St. Alexius Devils Lake Hospital.   Edward was born on August 13, 1932 in Hansboro, ND to Samuel and Elsie (Martin) Saari.  He was raised and attended school in Hansboro. Edward joined the US Army on November 13, 1952, proudly served his country during the Korean War and was honorably discharged October 31st, 1960 as Private First Class. Edward was once married to Fay Richards and of that marriage they had 2 children Dennis and Rebecca.    On November 1st, 1963 he was united in marriage to the love of his life Colleen Bragg Sherland in Olympia, WA.  They had 4 children together and 2 stepchildren from Colleen’s previous marriage.  They made their home on a farm east of Devils Lake for many years.  They later moved into Devils Lake then moved to Crary and then back to Devils Lake.    Edward was employed in numerous jobs in his life but his job at Lake Ready Mix was for 38 years where he performed several jobs.    He is survived by his wife Colleen of 54 years; children: Harold Sherland of Devils Lake, Leona (Paul) Schuster of New Rockford, Kelly Saari of Devils Lake, Kevin Saari of Devils Lake, Lori (Tim) Voeller of Minot, Rory (Karen) Saari of Devils Lake and Rebecca Quaintance of Owatonna, MN.  He is also survived by his grandchildren. Jeremiah Sherland, Tiffany Sherland, Patricia Schwab, Angela Sainsbury, Kim Du Preez, John Schuster, Jesse Schuster, Lisa Schuster, Aaron Saari, Shane Saari, Ryan Saari, Taylor Saari, Joshua Kuntz, Dylan Saari, Tanner Saari, Cassidy Saari, Mick Ralston, Carlee Hoffman, Randi Heisler and Marsten Bednarz and 26 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Vonna (Francis) Schutter and Yvonne Johnson and brother-in-law Gary (Deona) Bragg; nieces and nephews. Maureen Swearengin, Glenda Horton, Andy Anderson, Doug Saari, Darla Dammen and Darcy Saari.      Edward was preceded in death by his parents, son Dennis Saari, grandson Christopher Sherland, brothers Harold, Reno and Alexander Saari, sister Rose Anderson, father-in-law and mother-in-law Jerome and Evelyn Bragg; brothers-in-law Darrell Bragg and Larry Bragg; niece Marlys Hjelden and nephews Byron Anderson and Jimmy Anderson.   Serving as Casket Bearers for Ed will be Mick Ralston, Tim Voeller, Taylor Saari, Jeremiah Sherland, Rodney Mills II, Tanner Saari and Honorary Casket Bearers will be all of Edward’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.    Funeral Services for Ed will be held on Friday, January 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND with Pastor Michael Rohrer officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.