Wayne E. Saarela

Wayne E. Saarela, age 71 of Prescott, Wisconsin, died peacefully at home on Wednesday evening, December 27, 2017, following a brief illness. Wayne Eli, the son of Leo and Hilda (Niva) Saarela, was born on July 26, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan. Following his graduation from high school, Wayne continued his education for a brief time at Wayne State before enlisting in the United States Army and served in Vietnam for two years before his honorable discharge. On November 30, 1968, he was united in marriage to Virginia M. Manninen in Detroit. Wayne was a longtime Salesman for dental equipment and retired as Territorial Sales Manager from Planmeca. Wayne enjoyed golfing, downhill skiing, listening to music, and loved being by the water. He and Virginia traveled extensively throughout their forty-nine years of marriage, which brought them around the world on various trips and cruises. Most of all, Wayne loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Don Saarela and Eva Saarela; and by his brother-in-law, Albert Kariniemi. Wayne is survived by his wife, Virginia; children, Kim (Joe) Jones of Anthem, AZ, Linda (Chris) Quinones of Shirley, MA, Jeff Saarela of Phoenix, AZ, and James Saarela of El Mirage, AZ; grandchildren, Josh and Kaisa Jones, Caitlin and Annika Quinones, and Jacob and Noah Saarela; siblings, Art (Ruth) Saarela, Betty Kariniemi, Earl (Joyce) Saarela, Marvin (Judy) Saarela, and Ann (Bruce) Haataja; sister-in-law, Estelle Saarela; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings, with Gordon Gathright officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Tuesday morning. A reception will follow the service, also at the funeral home. Arrangements are being completed by Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings.