Jack E. Saari

Jack Ernest Saari, 95, of Clyde Park, passed away August 18, 2023, at home after a brief illness. He was born February 8, 1928, in the coal mining town of Kemmerer, WY to Ernest Saari and Pauline Parent. He was raised in various coal mining towns in the area with his brother Paul and sister Laverne. His father died in a coal mining accident when he was seven. He was raised by his mother and grandmother. They taught him the value of hard work.

Jack served in the military during World War 2 and the Korean War. During this time, he met and married his sweetheart, Louella May Hysell. Over the next 16 years, they had 4 children. Wendy, Janice, Rand and Russell.  Jack worked briefly for the railroad and with his uncle in his painting business. He was hired to help build the first pipeline station in Big Piney, WY for the Northwest Pipeline. They liked his work so much they hired him to work at the station when it started up. He worked for the pipeline for 32 years. His last position was as the foreman at the Grand Junction, CO station.

Jack found great satisfaction in working hard. It made him happy to work on one small project outside every day. He also loved to work with people. He did a lot of service for his friends and family over the years. He helped move people, he spent time with the neighborhood kids, and he worked at a local food center. Jack loved being outside. He found great joy in riding his bike and taking walks up to a local park in Grand Junction, CO.

Recently, Jack moved to Clyde Park, MT to live with his son, Russ, and daughter-in-law, Teresa. Jack and Teresa had a great deal of fun working together in and around the house. Jack enjoyed taking day trips to visit local sites. He especially enjoyed going to his favorite restaurant to get a burger and fresh fried pork rinds. He will be greatly missed.

Jack is survived by his wife Diann Saari; his daughters Wendy Bowen of Apache Junction, AZ and Janice Morford of Scottsdale, AZ; his son Russ Saari of Clyde Park, MT; his grandchildren Candace Kelson of Fernly, NV; Chris Bowen of Green River, WY; Scott Morford of Scottsdale, AZ; Matt Morford of Scottsdale, AZ; Kira Reitz of Phoenix, AZ; Brad Saari of Swansboro, NC; Brittany Saari of Hubert, NC; Cassi DeFendis of Clyde Park, MT, Wesley Saari of Rexburg, ID, Connor Saari of Manhattan, KS and Kara Saari of Rexburg, ID; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Jack is preceded in death by his sweetheart Louella and their son Rand.

A graveside service is scheduled for 11:00 am September 1st at Mountain View Cemetery; 1520 S 5th Avenue Pocatello, Idaho.  A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 3rd at 4 p.m. at the LDS stake center; 2881 Orchard Ave Grand Junction, CO.

Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Jack.

Franzen-Davis Funeral Home has been honored to care for Jack and his family.