Bertha “Buddy” passed away at the Cokato Manor on June 9, 2014
Memorial Service: 11 AM Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato
Visitation: 4-8 PM Monday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and 1hr prior to service at church on Tuesday
Prayer Service; 7:30 PM Monday at the funeral home.
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery
Bertha “Buddy” Ailie Saari Nelson, 80
Bertha Ailie Saari was born on June 26, 1933 to Elizabeth & William Saari of rural Annandale, the youngest of 8 children. She passed away on June 9, 2014, at Cokato Manor, Cokato, MN with loved ones by her side.
Bertha was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church French Lake, MN. She was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN. She graduated from Annandale High School in 1951, Annandale, MN.
Bertha married the love of her life Donald Nelson on July 12, 1952. Don served in the US Army, stationed in Germany from 1954 to 1956. During this time they travelled extensively throughout Europe. Once Don was released from duty, they returned to their farm north of Cokato and continued to work the land for many years to come.
Their baby girl was born May 10, 1957 and died May 10, 1957. Their son Scott Donald was born January 2, 1959. Tragically, Scott was lost in a farming accident on July 2, 1960.
Buddy always kept herself busy being a farm wife, helping Don on the farm and working full time. She worked at 3M, Gilmer Monuments, Buffalo Courthouse House and lastly at Cokato School District / Dassel Cokato School District for 27 years, retiring in 1994.
She was a faithful loving wife to Don for over 61 years. They enjoyed extensive traveling (China, Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, most of the 50 states, Finland and Europe). She and Don enjoyed their daily ritual of cribbage games, never getting the elusive 29 game after 60+ years of trying. She was an avid golfer and swimmer.
In 1995 Don & Buddy bought their winter home in Apache Junction AZ There she could be found making teddy bears, attending the computer club, swimming, walking or golfing. Unfortunately she could not travel the past few years due to health reasons. In 2002 Don retired from farming and they built their retirement home on a portion of the land they had farmed for over 50 years.
Buddy was preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth & William Saari, baby girl, son Scott, sisters Ethel (Bernard) Solberg, Dorothy (Henry) Lehtola, & Ferne (Harold) Hansen; brothers Harry & Willard (Ruth).
Buddy is survived by her loving and devoted husband Donnie, sisters Kathryn Gomez and Ruthe Saunders. She is also survived by 18 Saari nieces/nephews and their spouses, sisters-in-law Mildred Nelson and Shirley Tyni, along with 17 Nelson nieces/nephews and spouses. She is further survived by numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. Buddy was dearly loved.