Obituary for SANDRA MARIE WAARA (Saari)
Sandra Marie ‘Sandi’ Waara, 54 of Palmer, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, December 6, 2018 at her home in the care of her loving family and Lake Superior Hospice following a courageous two-year battle with cancer.
Sandi was born January 12, 1964 in Ishpeming to John Matthew and Joyce Marie (Rushford) Saari and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1982.
Sandi was employed as a CNA at several facilities and spent her life taking care of others, including 13 years serving as an EMT for Richmond Township. She loved spending time with her family, especially with her husband at the family camp in Big Bay where she enjoyed collecting glass rocks from Lake Superior. Sandi was a gifted artist and was an avid bowler. She also enjoyed playing softball and an occasional trip to the casino.
Surviving are her loving husband, Mark Waara; her mother, Joyce Swanson of Palmer; two sons: Timothy ‘TJ’ Gervae of Negaunee and Troy Gervae of Palmer; step-children: Courtney Waara and George Hart-Waara, both of Negaunee; sister, Julie (Gary) Christensen of Sault Ste. Marie; brothers, Terry (Sandy Helt) and David Saari, both of Palmer; her mother- and father-in-law, Mary and Darryl ‘Pancho’ Waara of Hudsonville; brothers-in-law: Jonny (Barb), Steven (Kristina) and Brad (Erica) Waara; 12 nieces and nephews: Scott Portale, Brandon (Cassie) and Josh Christensen; Austin, Nathan and McKayla Saari, Jaclyn, Austin and Madeline Waara, Brooke Waara, and Axel and Alice Waara. She was preceded in death by her father.
A Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, December 21st at the Richmond Township Fire Hall. In lieu of flowers, Sandi’s family asks for everyone to love one another and pay it forward!
Sandi’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their love and support provided.
Sandi was born January 12, 1964 in Ishpeming to John Matthew and Joyce Marie (Rushford) Saari and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1982.
Sandi was employed as a CNA at several facilities and spent her life taking care of others, including 13 years serving as an EMT for Richmond Township. She loved spending time with her family, especially with her husband at the family camp in Big Bay where she enjoyed collecting glass rocks from Lake Superior. Sandi was a gifted artist and was an avid bowler. She also enjoyed playing softball and an occasional trip to the casino.
Surviving are her loving husband, Mark Waara; her mother, Joyce Swanson of Palmer; two sons: Timothy ‘TJ’ Gervae of Negaunee and Troy Gervae of Palmer; step-children: Courtney Waara and George Hart-Waara, both of Negaunee; sister, Julie (Gary) Christensen of Sault Ste. Marie; brothers, Terry (Sandy Helt) and David Saari, both of Palmer; her mother- and father-in-law, Mary and Darryl ‘Pancho’ Waara of Hudsonville; brothers-in-law: Jonny (Barb), Steven (Kristina) and Brad (Erica) Waara; 12 nieces and nephews: Scott Portale, Brandon (Cassie) and Josh Christensen; Austin, Nathan and McKayla Saari, Jaclyn, Austin and Madeline Waara, Brooke Waara, and Axel and Alice Waara. She was preceded in death by her father.
A Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, December 21st at the Richmond Township Fire Hall. In lieu of flowers, Sandi’s family asks for everyone to love one another and pay it forward!
Sandi’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their love and support provided.