Marilyn Saari

She was born Marilyn Johnson on June 3, 1934 to Axel and Ruth Johnson of Marquette Michigan.

Marilyn was a graduate of Graveraet Senior High School Class of ’52. She received her nursing degree from the Kahler School of Nursing at the Mayo Clinic. Marilyn worked at Marquette General Hospital as a registered nurse.

Marilyn loved adventure and as a young adult she hitchhiked through the British Isles and worked as a nurse in London. On New Year’s eve 1958, she met the love of her life, Don Saari, at Flanigan’s Bar in Marquette. They were married 6 months later. After the wedding, Marilyn returned to work at Marquette General Hospital. The early and mid-years of their marriage were spent taking road trips across the country with their four children. Weekends were spent at their camp on Martin Lake.

After their children were older, Marilyn and Don became snowbirds, spending time between Marquette Michigan and Lake Worth, Florida. In addition to quilting, knitting and painting, Marilyn was an author. She completed a fiction book titled “Her Grandmother’s Quilt” and self-published in the early 2021. After completing her novel, her love of writing continued through short stories.

Don and Marilyn were active members of; the Messiah Lutheran Church of Marquette, Our Savior Lutheran of Lake Worth, and Daughters of The Nile (Shriners).

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents Ruth and Axel Johnson, her stepfather Freeman (Pete) Raish, in laws Victor and Tyne Saari, and son-in-law Dave Dodge.

She is survived by her children; Mark (Rachel) Saari, Debbie Blanchard, Karen Dodge, and Diane Maher, grandchildren; Luke Saari, Logan Blanchard, Amberly Blanchard, Samantha Mather, and Kimberly Maher.

On January 10th, a small service was performed at Our Savior Lutheran of Lake Worth.