SAARANEN, Gordon M. 1925-2004

SAARANEN, THOMPSON, HANSON

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 10/21/2006 at 16:12:55

Gordon M. Saaranen, 79, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, died October 2, 2004, at his home, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar, with Rev. Robert Porisch officiating.

Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Minn. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 5, 2004, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar.

Gordy was born Aug. 8, 1925, in Castlewood, S.D., the son of Fredrich and Jemina (Thompson) Saaranen.

He lived on the family farm with his dad until he joined the Navy in 1950. He served during the Korean War on the USS ORyan.

In June 1954, he moved to Austin, where he married Shirley Marie Hanson on July 31, 1954.
Gordy worked for the Austin City Street Department for 21 years until his retirement in July 1983. He and Shirley then returned to the family farm on Lake Poinset, S.D., where they lived for 12 years. They moved to St. Ansgar, Iowa in 1995.

Gordy was an active member of First Lutheran Church and the American Legion in St. Ansgar.
In his spare time he enjoyed working on cars, fishing, hunting, but most of all spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Gerald, Russell, Douglas Sr.; and sister, Faye Reinardy.

Gordy is survived by his wife, Shirley of St. Ansgar, Iowa; sons, Fredrich (Kay) of St. Ansgar; Timothy (Linda) of LeHigh, Fla.; three daughters, Jennifer Saaranen and Jim Huebner of Austin; Karen (John) Baldridge of Boulder, Colo.; Carol (Dan) Thomas of Austin; one brother, Clayton (Nat) Saaranen of Largo, Fla.; one sister, Virgid Isaacson of Lake Norden, S.D.; seven grandchildren, Chad Thomas, Sarah Thomas, Amanda Saaranen, Sammantha Saaranen, Michael Saaranen, Elliot Baldridge, Jenna Baldridge; special nephews, Douglas, Jr., Francis and Robert Saaranen.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, is in charge of arrangements.