Gwen L. Saari

Gwen Saari was born July 14, 1926 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to parents Leonard J. Grotte and Gyda Land Grotte. She attended college in Minot, North Dakota and married Earl Saari on December 9th, 1945. Later they moved to Adrian, Oregon where they lived until moving to Bandon, Oregon. They eventually moved to Corvallis, Oregon and remained there throughout their lives. Gwen attended Oregon State College where she majored in Elementary Education. She received her Master’s Degree from Oregon State University. She taught Elementary School in Corvallis. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, playing bridge, attending music programs, and camping in her younger years. Gwen loved to travel. She enjoyed vacations to Mexico, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, and various other countries. She enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean, Fiji, and Alaska, and travelled throughout the United States. She spent many weekends and vacations at the Embarcadero on the Oregon Coast, and on their boat salmon fishing in Washington. Many cherished memories were spent here with her children and grandchildren. She passed away peacefully in her home, after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Her husband died February 9th, 2001. Gwen is survived by daughters: Cathryn Saari House & husband, Marvin of Corvallis, OR and Cynthia Saari Wilken & spouse Marci Wilken of Keizer, OR. Her siblings include R. M Grotte & wife Diana, of White Salmon, WA. She is preceded in death by sisters Joan Engen of Northwood, North Dakota, and Arlene Brunton of Helena, Montana. Her grandchildren include: John R MacDonald II & wife Bryn, of Herriman, Utah, Shawn MacDonald & wife Cindi of Portland, OR, Jennifer House Grim & husband Shane of Maricopa, AZ, Elizabeth Newton Perkins & husband Matthew of Salem, OR, Christopher House, of Keizer, OR, and is preceded in death by grandson Norman Newton, of Keizer, OR. She is survived by many great grandchildren as well. A private service will be held on Tuesday, March 23rd, at McHenry Funeral Home, 206 NW 5th Street, Corvallis OR 97330 with limited attendance. Following the service, will be the burial at Oak Lawn Memorial Park, located at 2245 SW Whiteside Drive, Corvallis OR 97333. Memorial donations can be made to: The Alzheimer's Association on Gwen's tribute page at: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=672450&fr_id=1060&pg=fund or by mail at: National Processing Center, Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011. Please include a note stating this donation is a Tribute donation in memory of Gwen Saari, and if you would like a notification letter sent to the family please include the families name, address, and a brief message, with closing signature. Or to donate by phone go to 1-800-272-3900. Evergreen Hospice at: https://www.samhealth.org/aghf , go to make donation, designation: Evergreen Hospice in Memory of Gwen Saari or mail to Evergreen Hospice at 1046 6th Avenue SW, Albany OR 97321 - In Memory of Gwen Saari The Corvallis Public Schools Foundation at: https://cpsfoundation.org/contribute/donate/

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Gwen L. Saari

July 14, 1926 - March 11, 2021