Funeral services for John Saari, age 83, of Henning, will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills, with Pastor Kirk Douglas officiating. Janell Brakel will provide musical accompaniment. Lunch will be provided in the church parish hall following the service. The pallbearers are:  James Saari, Tammi Saari, Craig Heiden, Ryan Hammer, Matt Hammer and Sean Hammer. Military Honors will be provided by Elmer Goche V.F.W. Post #3922 of Wadena.  John will be laid to rest in Leaf Lake Finnish Cemetery, Henning.

Arthur John Saari was born on September 7, 1941, in Wadena, to the late Arthur and Lillian (Oman) Saari. John attended Country School District #117 in Leaf Lake Township. John graduated from Henning High School with the Class of 1959 where he was a member of FFA.

John proudly served in the United States Navy from September 29, 1961, to January 28, 1964.  He served on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock as a fighter jet mechanic and was stationed at various times in Japan and the Philippines during the Vietnam Conflict.  John was Honorably Discharged and returned to the family dairy farm in Ottertail Township, rural Henning, becoming the fourth generation to join the family business.

John was united in marriage to Beverly Jean Heiden on July 12, 1969, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek, and spent the next 37 years running a dairy farm near Henning. Their marriage was blessed with three children: John David, Jennifer Ann, and Jeffery Dean.  Beverly passed away on January 16, 2007; John continued to reside on the farm where he raised beef and was the sexton of Leaf Lake Cemetery.

On January 16, 2011, John was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Cichy at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Henning.

Throughout his life John enjoyed deer hunting, country drives, playing cards and spending time with family.  John was a member of the Deer Creek Lions, Deer Creek Legion, Charles D. Center V.F.W. Post #3289, and currently Wadena V.F.W. Post #3922.

On November 11, 2024, John passed away at Perham Health in Perham, at 83 years of age. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceding John in death were his parents, Arthur and Lillian; wife, Beverly; son, Jeffery; and daughter, Roxanne Hammer.

John is survived by his wife, Betty Saari; daughter, Jennifer Saari; son, John (Jennifer) Saari; daughter Lori (Steve) Hammer; son, John (Kristine) Barker; grandchildren, Jazmine Saari, Jacobi Saari, Johanna Saari, John Saari, Eric Hammer, Matt Hammer, Sean (Mackenzie) Hammer, Ryan (Kelsey) Hammer, Rachael (Casey) Johnson and Stefanie (Lars) Barker; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Larry (Theone) Saari; brother-in-law Roger (Pam) Heiden; sister-in-law Barbara Heiden; son-in-law Ronald Hammer; many cousins and a host of friends.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on John’s Tribute Wall.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of New York Mills.