Joe Saari

Joe Saari

Cedar Rapids

Joe Saari, 51, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospital with life-threatening injuries caused by a motorcycle accident. He was surrounded by his loving family who mournfully said goodbye.

Services will be at the Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St., SW. Family will greet friends Tuesday, May 23, from 4 to 7 p.m., with the funeral service being held on Wednesday, May 24, at 1 p.m. Following the service will be Joe’s last Wednesday night ride, which will end at Chrome Horse in Cedar Rapids for a Celebration of Life at 4 p.m. Join us in wearing Joe’s dress code.

Joe was born Aug. 21, 1971, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. During his younger years Joe was an avid BMX racer and truly enjoyed biking. Joe played linebacker in football all through high school and went to the 3A State Playoffs in 1988 and 1989. He graduated from Regis High School in 1990 and began his career working and learning to be a semi-trailer mechanic. West Side Transit was instrumental in the beginning of Joe’s career and continued even after he started his own business in 2018, “Saari’s Trailer Repair.”

He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Bud Light was his drink of choice and his signature laugh and smile are what people will always remember him by. His passion was riding his motorcycle and driving his 1984 Ford Mustang 4 eyed fox body. Joe was a simple man with a loving heart. He was selfless, hardworking and loved his boys.

Left to cherish his memory are his two sons, Colby Manley and Waylon Smith; his loving mother, Shari Saari (Bob); sister, Tiffany (Rod) Kuehl; uncle, Bret (Michele) Blaylock; aunts, Kim (Jeff) Boudreau, Jill (Mike) Fitzpatrick, Janelle (Dave) Kurth; nieces, Crystal (Gage) Barnett, Courtney (Alec) Kiburz and Cassidy (James) Russell; great-niece, Hazel Russell; stepmother, Vicki Saari; brothers, Casey Saari and Cody (Amy) Saari; many cousins; his wing man, Larry Fox (Kim); and very special friend, Lenore Zoll.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rod Saari; grandparents, Joseph and Beverly Blaylock, Wayne and Charlotte Saari; uncles, Dave and Duane Saari.

Joe…. you were so loved and will be missed by so many.

Memorials may be directed to the Joe Saari Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.