Saarela, Dennis Edward
Our beloved Dennis Edward Saarela, 71, passed away on Monday May 8th, 2017. Dennis was born on February 12th, 1946 in Duluth, Minnesota to Peggy and Wallace Saarela. He leaves behind his loving wife Susan List Saarela, his son Ryan (Karen) Saarela, his grandson Alexander Saarela, his brother Steven Saarela (Barb Boerboon), his stepson Christopher McIntyre (Quinn Okuda), and Ryan's mother Lynne Saarela, as well as his closest friends Mike and Colleen Sutter. He is predeceased by his parents Peggy and Wally, and his brothers Ronald and Gary. Dennis was multi-talented, a US Navy Veteran, who served in the Honor Guard in Washington D.C., then at the Twenty First Naval Construction Regiment (Seabees), he was a Journeyman bricklayer, a realtor, a stockbroker and then went on to start his own publishing/advertising business. His kind spirit, calm demeanor and enormous sense of humor will be severely missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held on May 27th, 2017 at 11:00 am at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Rd, Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church to go towards music fund or to the Arthritis Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary. www.messingermortuary.com

Published in The Arizona Republic on May 21, 2017