Donald "Don" Saari

Donald "Don" Saari, age 80 of Hastings, died peacefully on Wednesday evening, March 11, 2020, at White Pine Senior Living in Cottage Grove. Donald Warren, the son of Toivo and Enid (Kersten) Saari, was born on August 17, 1939, in Superior, Wisconsin. Due to his upbringing there, Don was a dedicated Packers Fan and also took much pride in his Finnish heritage. On February 16, 1973, Don was united in marriage to Janet Valeski and was blessed to recently celebrate forty-seven years of marriage together. He was a longtime financial analyst at Lockheed Martin. Besides watching sports, Don was an avid runner and completed twenty-five marathons and other races. He was also a car, boat, and airplane enthusiast. Don was a gentle man who was kind to everyone. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his father-in-law, Lu Swanson. Don is survived by his loving wife, Janet; children, Kindra Saari and Tim Saari; grandchildren, Jazmin and Breanna; brother, Doug (Julie) Saari; mother-in-law, Dubie Swanson; brother-in-law, Randy (Susan) Swanson; and by other relatives and friends. Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2020, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation for one hour prior to the service, and to a reception immediately following all at the funeral home on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Don. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.