Saari, Charlotte M.

Charlotte M. Saari, 86, of The Woodlands at The Meth-Wick Community, formerly of Arbor Place at Meth-Wick, died at The Woodlands on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, after an extended illness. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Hiawatha. The Rev. Neil Manternach will officiate. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, where there will be a vigil service at 7 p.m. Friends may also call at the church after 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Survivors include two daughters, Jill (Michael) Fitzpatrick of Cedar Rapids and Janelle (David) Kurth of St. Louis, Mo.; three sons, David (Susan) of Robins, Rodney (Vicki) of Cedar Rapids and Duane (Laurie) of Colorado; one sister, Marcia (Curt) Nylund of Cedar Rapids; 24 grandchildren; and 35 1/2 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Bob and Joe Woods; one grandchild and two great-grandchildren.

Charlotte was born Feb. 16, 1924, in Virginia, Minn., the daughter of Michael and Ruth Conway Woods. She married Wayne C. Saari on Jan. 28, 1944, in Duluth, Minn. He died in 2001. Charlotte, together with her husband, Wayne, owned and operated A-1 Electric and retired from there after many years of service. They were members of the National Electric Contractors Association.

Charlotte enjoyed music, dancing and could light up a room with her beautiful smile.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, and grandmother who will be greatly missed by her beloved family and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Meth-Wick Community for the loving care given to Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Meth-Wick or to Mercy Hospice in Charlotte's name.

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