Descendants of Willhelm Isak Saari

1. Willhelm Isak³ Saari (Pehr Pehrsson² Hök, Per Persson¹)^1,2,2,3 was born April 1867 in Keräsjänkkä, Neder-Torneå, Sweden, and died March 17, 1950 in Kingston Twp., Meeker County, MN⁴. He married Hilda Caroline Kenttä February 28, 1891 in Tower - Soudan, Saint Louis County, MN, daughter of Peter Kenttä and Eva. She was born August 03, 1865 in Sweden, and died April 22, 1939 in Kingston Twp., Meeker County, MN⁵.

William's name was either Willhelm Isak Saari or Isak Willhelm Saari. It was located in the records both ways.

From records that were obtained it is known that William Saari was naturalized in Saint Louis County, MN, July 28, 1900. His wife Hilda, stated on the federal census that she had become a citizen in 1900 but no record of that was located. Perhaps her marriage and through William's naturalization, gave her citizenship.

William Saari may have moved to Meeker County area some time around 1897 or 1898 according to the farm directory records. The 1913 Farm Directory for Meeker County, MN listed William Saari with wife Hilda and children Walter, Wilbert, and Verner. He was on Section 9 and had been 15 years in the county of Meeker. He was listed in Kingston Township with a postal address of Kimball, MN. Ref: Kurth, Ann, comp. Benton, Meeker, and Todd Counties, Minnesota Farm Directory, 1913-14. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Original data: Webb Publishing Co. of St. Paul, MN. Collection of Minnesota County Atlases, #175, Roll 8. St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Historical Society, 1913-14.

Year: 1930; Census Place: Kingston, Meeker, Minnesota; Roll: T626 1106; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 17; Image: 0908. Listed as head of household was William Saari, age 63, born Finland and he also listed that his parents were born in Finland. His wife was given as Hilda, age 64, born in Finland and she listed that both of her parents were also born in Finland. She was age 25 when she first married and William was age 24 when he first married. William was a farmer, doing general farm work and came to the US in 1888. Hilda listed that she too came in 1888. Both were speaking Finish. Children were listed as William J., age 36, single, born MN, son, doing farm work; and son Verner F., age 25, born in MN, and he listed that he was doing farm work. He first married at age 22. His wife, Irene M., was listed as age 21, and she first married at age 18. She was listed as a daughter-in-law, and was born in MN with both of her parents born in Sweden. The Saari family lived between the Isaacson and the Peterson families. And the Rumsey and the Lakander families lived nearby.

Meeker County, MN death certificate for William N. Saari listed his death date as March 17, 1950. Certificate ID# 1950-MN-008925 in Meeker County, MN. State File Number: 008925. Record is not clear and may read William I. Saari rather than William N. Saari.

Comment 2: 1910 Federal Population Schedules, US Census states William was born in Sweden/Finland.

Sometimes the record states the spelling of Hilda as Hulda. And also Kenta was spelled three different ways on Hilda and William's marriage certificate. It is often seen as Kentta, Genta, and Kenta or Kanta. Not a lot is known about Hilda, but the family lore states that she came to the US with a sister.

In 1920 Hilda Saari stated that she came to the US in 1888 and that she became a citizen in 1900.

Hilda Caroline Saari died April 22, 1939 in Meeker Co., MN. The Death Certificate number was given as # 1939 MN-008481. She was born Aug 3, 1865 in Sweden and died of uremia, nephritis, and chronic endocarditis. She was ill for many years and died after 2 to 3 days of illness. Her parents were Peter and Eva Kenta. She died in Kingston, MN. And she was listed as a housewife. MN State File Number: 008481.

Marriage record for William Saari and Hilda Genta [sic] was located in book H, page 39, and it stated that they were of Soudan, MN. Witnesses were Albert and Greta Nelson. Rev A. Sandetron of Ev. Lutheran Church performed the ceremony.

2 i. John N.⁴ Saari, born October 1891 in Saint Louis County, MN; died March 01, 1953 in Medicine Lake, Hennepin County, MN⁶.

Notes for John N. Saari:

John Saari died in a hospital at Medicine Lake for alcoholics or a home for those who were suffering from the health condition of alcoholism.

John is buried at Apostolic Lutheran Church, Kingston Cemetery, Meeker County, MN, but there is no stone to mark his grave. John N. Saari, died March 1, 1953 in Hennepin County, MN. Death Certificate ID# 1953-MN-020498. State File Number: 020498.

More About John N. Saari:

Burial: Apostolic Lutheran Church, Kingston Cemetery, Meeker Co., MN

3 ii. William A. Saari, born March 15, 1892 in Minnesota; died January 08, 1931 in Meeker County, MN⁷.

Notes for William A. Saari:

In 1930 William was listed as William J. Saari, age 36, single, in the home of William and Hilda Saari in Kingston Twp., of Meeker Co., MN.

William Saari was born Mar 15, 1892 and died Jan 8, 1931. He was age 38 years, 9 mos, and 23 days old and died of meningitis. His illness was 48 hours. His parents were listed as born in Sweden. They were given as William Saari and Hulda Kanta. Death Certificate ID# 1931-MN-008120. State File Number: 008120.

More About William A. Saari:

Burial: Apostolic Lutheran Church, Kingston Cemetery, Meeker Co., MN

Comment 1: Died of Meningitis at age 38 years, 9 mos, and 23 days.

+ 4 iii. Walter Saari, born October 07, 1894 in Meeker County, MN; died December 30, 1972 in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN.

+ 5 iv. Wilbert Saari, born November 28, 1899 in Meeker County, MN; died May 30, 1961 in Hennepin County, MN.

+ 6 v. Verner Frans Saari, born July 07, 1904 in Kingston Twp., Meeker County, MN; died July 01, 1966 in Kingston Twp., Meeker County, MN.

4. Walter⁴ Saari (Willhelm Isak³, Pehr Pehrsson² Hök, Per Persson¹)⁸ was born October 07, 1894 in Meeker County, MN, and died December 30, 1972 in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN⁹. He married Selma M. Abt. 1919 in Minnesota. She was born June 17, 1891 in Michigan, and died June 30, 1968 in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN¹⁰.

1930 Federal Population Schedules, US Census, Anoka County, MN, Columbia Heights, District 13, House # 224, Family # 227, 4347 Monroe Street, listed Walter Saari, age 35, born in Minnesota, and he listed both of his parents as born in Finland. He was a truck driver and for a coal retail company. He spoke Finish. Selma, his wife, was age 31 and was born in Michigan. She spoke Finish. She listed both of her parents as born in Finland. Evelyn, a daughter, age 10, was born in Minnesota; Bernard, a son, was age 8, born in Minnesota; Lorraine, a daughter was age 6 born in Minnesota; and June was age 4 years and 10 months and was born in Minnesota. Walter first married at age 24 and Selma was age 20 when she first married.

Saari, Walter, Death Certificate # 1972-MN-034083, born 10/07/1894, died 12/30/1972 in Hennepin County, MN. Mother's maiden name Kenta. State File Number: 034083

Selma M. Saari, death certificate Certificate ID# 1968-MN-016270, died 6/30/1968 and she was born 6/17/1891. Her mother's maiden name was Watjus. Selma died in Hennepin County, MN.

5. Wilbert⁴ Saari (Willhelm Isak³, Pehr Pehrsson² Hök, Per Persson¹) was born November 28, 1899 in Meeker County, MN, and died May 30, 1961 in Hennepin County, MN¹¹. He married Mable E. Johnson¹² Abt. 1924 in Minnesota, daughter of John Johansson and Albertina Johnson. She was born May 07, 1901 in Meeker County, MN, and died June 11, 1983 in Hennepin County, MN^13,14.

Wilbert Saari was born 11/28/1899 in Minnesota and he died May 30, 1961. His death certificate # was Certificate ID # 1961-MN-006963. State File Number: 006963.

In 1930 Mable and Wilbert lived neighbors to Jack and Jennie. Esther was living with Jack in his household and they lived on Irving Street and were renters. That 1930 record reads: Year: 1930; Census Place: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota; Roll: T626 1092; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 64; Image: 0305. House # 28, Family # 48: A two family dwelling in Minneapolis was the home of Mable and her husband. Wilbert Saari, head of household, age 29, was born in MN. He listed that both of his parents were born in Finland. His wife was given as Mable E. Saari, age 28, born in MN. She listed that both of her parents were born in Sweden. She first married at age 23 and Wilbert was age 24 when he first married. Wilbert was a wood worker at a wood manufacture. Kenneth N. Saari was age 5, son, born in MN. Esther E. Johnson, sister-in-law, lived in the household. She was age 31 and single. She was born in MN and listed both of her parents as born in Sweden. Esther was working as a power machine operator at a clothing factory.

Mable E. Saari, died June 11, 1983, Hennepin Co., MN. She was born May 7, 1901 and her mother's maiden name was given as Johnson. Certificate ID# 1983-MN-014935. State File Number: 014935.

Mable Saari, SSN # was 472-10-0961. Her last known residence was at zip code 55412 in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN. She was born 7 May 1901 and died Jun 1983. Her Social Security card was issued in Minnesota.

12 i. Kenneth⁵ Saari¹⁵, born Abt. 1925 in Hennepin County, MN. He married Ina Abt. 1945; born Abt. 1925.

Notes for Kenneth Saari:

In 1930 Kenneth was age 5 and living at home with his parents in Hennepin County, MN.

Kenneth Saari was one of the groom's attendants for Euine E. Weller and Leslie Ranta's marriage. [Ref: From the scrapbook of Vivian (Weller) Kling]

13 ii. Corwyn Jane Saari, born Abt. 1932 in Minnesota. She married Alva William Johnson November 03, 1956 in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN¹⁶; born Abt. 1932.

Notes for Corwyn Jane Saari:

Mr and Mrs. Wilbert Saari request the honor of your presence of the marriage of their daughter Corwyn Jane to Mr Alva William Johnson on Saturday, the third of November, nineteen hundred and fifty-six, seven o'clock in the evening. Lutheran Memorial Church, Dowling and Sheridan North, Minneapolis, Minnesota. [Ref: from the scrapbook files of Vivian (Weller) Kling]

6. Verner Frans⁴ Saari (Willhelm Isak³, Pehr Pehrsson² Hök, Per Persson¹)¹⁷ was born July 07, 1904 in Kingston Twp., Meeker County, MN, and died July 01, 1966 in Kingston Twp., Meeker County, MN¹⁸. He married Irene Mildred Johnson¹⁹ November 06, 1926 in Meeker Co., MN²⁰, daughter of John Johansson and Albertina Johnson. She was born June 14, 1908 in Kingston Twp., Meeker County, MN, and died December 22, 1966 in Kingston Twp., Meeker County, MN²¹.

Verner is often spelled Werner on the old records, but his name was probably Verner. He lived all his life in the Meeker County, MN, area and farmed in the Kingston Twp. of that same county. He and his wife Irene took care of Verner's parents after they were old. Irene, Verner's wife, did not speak Finish and interestingly enough, Hilda and William Saari, Verner's parents only spoke Finish.

Irene Johnson Saari, Verner's wife, could speak Swedish and also could write and read Swedish. She corresponded with family members in Haparanda, Sweden, which may have been Arvid Saari and his wife or even perhaps Arvid's sister who also may have lived in the Haparanda area.

In 1930 on the Federal Census Verner and Irene Saari were listed as living with William and Hilda Saari in Meeker County, MN. That record reads: Year: 1930; Census Place: Kingston, Meeker, Minnesota; Roll: T626 1106; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 17; Image: 0908. Listed as head of household was William Saari, age 63, born Finland and he also listed that his parents were born in Finland. His wife was given as Hilda, age 64, born in Finland and she listed that both of her parents were also born in Finland. She was age 25 when she first married and William was age 24 when he first married. William was a farmer, doing general farm work and came to the US in 1888. Hilda listed that she too came in 1888. Both were speaking Finish. Children were listed as William J., age 36, single, born MN, son, doing farm work; and son Verner F., age 25, born in MN, and he listed that he was doing farm work. He first married at age 22. His wife, Irene M., was listed as age 21, and she first married at age 18. She was listed as a daughter-in-law, and was born in MN with both of her parents born in Sweden. The Saari family lived between the Isaacson and the Peterson families. And the Rumsey and the Lakander families lived nearby.

Verner Frans Saari, born July 7, 1904, died July 1, 1966 Meeker Co., MN. He was born in MN. And his parents were William Saari and Hilda Kentta. Certificate ID# 1966-MN-017942.

Meeker County, MN, Newspaper Clipping, 1951: Open House for 25th Wedding Anniversary: Mr and Mrs. Verner Saari will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary Sunday, Nov 4th, afternoon and evening. No card have been issue. Ref: From the scrapbook of Vivian Weller Kling

Irene Mildred Saari, Minnesota Death Certificate ID# 1966-MN-031603, born June 14, 1908 in Minnesota. She died Dec 22, 1966 in Meeker County, MN. John Johnson and Albertina Johnson were her parents.

Irene Johnson to Verner Saari 6th Nov 1926 in Meeker County, MN, John L. Johnson and Sophia K. Leppa were witnesses.

14 i. Carol⁵ Saari, born 1931 in Meeker County, MN; died June 2004. She married Edwin Juka Abt. 1952; born Abt. 1931 in Wolfe Lake, MN; died 2004.

More About Carol Saari: Burial: Fort Snelling, MN

More About Edwin Juka: Burial: Fort Snelling, MN

15 ii. Katherine Saari, born June 21, 1933 in Meeker County, MN; died July 08, 1933 in Meeker County, MN.

More About Katherine Saari: Burial: Apostolic Lutheran Church, Kingston Cemetery, Meeker Co., MN

16 iii. Kermit Verner Saari, born October 12, 1939 in Meeker County, MN; died June 17, 1999 in Crystal, Hennepin Co., MN. He married Marlene Joyce Abt. 1980 in Minnesota; born November 08, 1939 in Minneoplis, Hennepin Co., MN; died December 25, 2002 in Robbinsdale, Hennepin Co., MN.

Notes for Kermit Verner Saari: Kermit V. Saari, SSN 477-42-4101, and was born 12 Oct 1939 and died 17 Jun 1999. His social security card was issued in MN.

Kermit V. Saari died June 17, 1999, born October 12, 1939 at Kingston, MN. Died Crystal, MN in Hennepin Co., MN. State File Number: 1999-MN-017980.

Kermit Saari is buried Section 6, Block 74 of Lot 2, Gr 3 in Gethsemane Cemetery at New Hope, MN in Hennepin County.

More About Kermit Verner Saari: Burial: Gethsemane Cemetery, New Hope, Hennepin Co., MN

Notes for Marlene Joyce: Marlene Joyce Saari born November 8, 1939 died Dec 25, 2002 at Robbinsdale, MN in Hennepin County. Her mother's maiden name was Gazin. State File Number: 2002-MN-044130.

Obituary: Saari Marlene J., age 63, of Crystal. Preceded in death by husband, Kermit; her parents; and husband, Ronald Doty and their children, Ronnie, Cindy, and Marlene. Survived by son, Paul; sisters, Dorothy (Warren) Talbot & Karen (James) Roback; nieces, nephews and friends. Mass of Christian Burial Sat. 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish Center, 36th & Boone Ave N., New Hope. Visitation Fri. 4-8 p.m., with prayer service 7 p.m. at the Kapala-Glodek-Malone Chapel, 7800 Bass Lake Road. Visitation also one hour prior to Mass at church. Interment Gethsemane Cemetery. Kapala-Glodek Malone Funeral Home. Published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on 12/27/2002.

More About Marlene Joyce: Burial: Gethsemane Cemetery, New Hope, Hennepin Co., MN

17 iv. Clayton William Saari, born August 25, 1947 in Litchfield, Meeker County, MN

1. Microfilm, Year: 1930; Census Place: Kingston, Meeker, Minnesota; Roll: T626 1106; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 17; Image: 0908., William Saari, Hilda, William and also Verner, & wife Irene.

2. Kurth, Ann, comp. Benton, Meeker, and Todd Counties, Minnesota Farm Directory, 1913-14. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Original data, William Saari and family.

8. 1930 Federal Population Schedules, US Census, Anoka County, MN, Columbia Heights, District 13, House # 224, Family # 227, 4347 Monroe Street,, Walter Saari and family.

12. Microfilm, Year: 1930; Census Place: Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota; Roll: T626 1092; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 64; Image: 0305, Wilbert and Mable Saari.

15. Kenneth Saari was one of the groom's attendants for Euine E. Weller & Leslie Ranta's marriage, Scrap book of Vivian (Weller) Kling.

17. Microfilm, Year: 1930; Census Place: Kingston, Meeker, Minnesota; Roll: T626 1106; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 17; Image: 0908., Verner and Irene Saari.

19. Microfilm, Year: 1930; Census Place: Kingston, Meeker, Minnesota; Roll: T626 1106; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 17; Image: 0908, Irene Johnson, Verner Saari.

20. Meeker County, MN, Newspaper Clipping, 1951, Irene Johnson, Verner Saari 25th Wedding Anniversary.