HURLEY, Wis. — Bert R. Saari, 90, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born on Dec. 15, 1935, in Ironwood, Michigan, to the late Isaac (Ike) and Lempi (Jalonen) Saari.Bert graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley in 1953.

He was united in marriage to Joanna Marie Toni at St. Mary of Seven Dolors Catholic Church on Feb. 12, 1955.

As a young boy, Bert started working for his dad and uncle, Bert O. Saari, at Saari Service Station in Montreal, Little Finland Cabins in Hurley, and his father's gas station in Wakefield, Michigan. He continued to work there until the mid-1970s.

He then ran Toddy's Gas Station and Laundromat in Hurley, which he purchased in 1979 and renamed as Bert's Skelly. He also ran the Arco Station across the street. His business consisted of rental properties, laundromat, wrecker service, cab service, firework sales and bait shop.

In the '80s, Bert opened the Hurley NAPA store with his sister, Karen (Leo) Secor, and then added another NAPA store in Bessemer, Michigan.
He ended his career with Bert's Laundromat/Casino, where he joked that you could wash your pants and lose your shirt at the same time. He is remembered around town wearing his brown worksuit and carrying around his metal XEROX Antifreeze can. He was truly an entrepreneur and one of the legends in Hurley.

Bert enjoyed his free time at his camp on Moose Lake.

He enjoyed bird hunting with Joanna and deer, antelope, mule deer and bear season with his sons, friends and relatives for many years. He and Joanna loved to travel. After retirement, they spent 16 years in their motor home and enjoyed seeing this country from coast to coast. While Joanna shopped, Bert enjoyed planning where they would eat their next meal.

Bert was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joanna; parents-in-law, Lina Fontecchio-Toni-Francis, Fulvio Toni and James (Furrucci) Francis; grandson, Brian Joseph Saari; brother-in-law, Leo Secor, sister-in-law, Luisa (Robert) Hughes; brother-in-law, Alfio (Ginger) Toni; and stepbrother-in-law, Joe "Toddy" (Mary Margaret) Francis.

Bert is survived by four sons, Bert Isaac (Debbie) Saari and Michael (Liana) Saari of Hurley, Joseph (Kathy) Saari of Montreal and Bill (Sandy) Saari of Jackson; six grandchildren, Tony (Shannon) Saari of Hurley, Giana (Jon) Backes of Mosinee, Michael (Emily) Saari of Westin, Mark (Morgan) Saari of Waunakee, Mitchell (Kimberly) Saari of West Bend and Jacob (Kaylee Miskovich) Saari of Plymouth, Minnesota; a sister, Karen Secor of Montreal; brother-in-law, Jim (Annette) Francis of Hurley; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Bert's wish was to not have a funeral. The family will celebrate his life at a later date this spring. He touched many lives, and stories about him are always welcome.

We would like to thank all the people at Villa Maria for the outstanding care that they provided Bert for over five years. He made great friends with the workers, and everyone was "his favorite" person there. I hope they all know he loved and appreciated them.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel, Inc. in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.