Elsie Saari was just the sweetest little lady who brought a sparkle into any life she touched. She was a shining example of pure love to her family and all who knew her. She was a dear, sweet soul whose generosity and talent for sewing brought delight to many, especially family members who needed alterations!
Born to Hilja and Jacob Komula on August 29, 1927 in Ontonagon, MI, Elsie Anna Maria was the seventh of their eight children. She passed on to Heaven on Easter Sunday April, 12, 2020 after a valiant battle with COVID-19. She woke up long enough on Palm Sunday to acknowledge her family holding vigil outside her window and clapped and waved at them!

Elsie was extremely proud of her Finnish heritage and belonged to the Finnish Cultural Center for many years. She loved all things "Finnish." She had an immediate connection to anyone who was Finnish. Her love of her Finnish heritage was second only to her love of her family. She instilled the love of both into her daughters. Her face would absolutely light up with the mention of her family...her pride was impossible to hide. Her family was her world!

Elsie's first job was as a nurses aid and interpreter at Ontonagon Hospital, where she lived in the nurse's quarters. Her sister, Velma, joined her there later. She moved to Detroit next and lived with her sister, Lydia, where she first took care of her niece and nephew and then worked for Burroughs. She met Calvin Saari during that time, at a wedding, where he proclaimed that he would marry her someday. They were married nine months later on October 2, 1948.

In 1952 they moved out of Detroit to Birmingham and had their first daughter, Denise. Three years later, Doreen was born. They moved to Royal Oak in 1956 where their third daughter, Deborah, was born in 1965. Elsie spent the next several years caring for her family before she also worked as a babysitter for an agency, was an attendant at a cleaners and then a sales clerk at Federals Department Store. She was later hired to do alterations at a men's clothing store, at a dry cleaners and after that was self employed as a seamstress while she cared for her husband after his stroke.

Elsie, with a twinkle in her eyes, just loved to make people laugh and had quite a sense of humor. Her laugh was contagious! She was a ray of sunshine in so many lives. Her talents went beyond sewing to include making delicious pasties, apple pie, lemon meringue pie, chicken dinners, cream puffs, mojakka, pannukkaku, and fancy birthday cakes for her girls when they were young. She loved to eat out and always said of her meal, "this is so good!" In fact, when asked how an event or party was, she replied, " oh, the food was so amazing."

Elsie was a devout Lutheran throughout her life. She sang in the choir at Emmanuel Lutheran Church for many years. She loved to sing and would serenade everyone at her nursing home where she was known for her love of singing! Elsie especially loved to dance as well. When she was young she would dance until her feet hurt too much to go on.
Her family used to lovingly call her Sherlock because she always had a million questions! When asked why all the questions, she'd say, "that's the only way I can find out what's going on!"

Elsie is survived by her daughters Denise (Bruce) Marsh, Doreen (Keith) Race, and Deborah (Gary) Kiesgen, grandchildren Kevin (Diana) Marsh, Dayna (Marc) Fabrey, Kyle (Ryan) McClarnon, Jesse Vos, Lauren (Larry) Lilly, Matthew Kiesgen, Garrett (Chelsea) Kiesgen, and Grant Kiesgen as well as 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her husband Calvin and her granddaughter Kara Marsh Vos.

Her love will remain with her family forever. Rakastamme sinua Elsie!

Any donations would be appreciated to The Finnish Center Association Cultural Center.