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Agnes Saari Obituary – 2/15/2013


A memorial service will take place Saturday, July 20 at 11 a.m. at Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted, with visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. The family will be making donations in Agnes’ name to the Ridgeview Hospital Hospice and the Cokato Charitable Trust.

The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted is serving the family.


Agnes (Schlagel) Saari, age 94, of Cokato, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Heritage Place Assisted Living in Cokato.

She was born Aug. 7, 1918, in Winsted, the daughter of John and Sophie Guennigsman Schlagel. Her parents operated the family farm northwest of Winsted, and Agnes had many fond memories of growing up on the farm.

On her 22nd birthday, Agnes married Leonard Saari. They made their home in Cokato, and were blessed with two daughters, Norma and Renee.’

For nearly four decades, Aggie worked at Peterson Pharmacy, including the transition into Keaveny Pharmacy. Once she retired, she was a volunteer driver for Wright County.

Agnes and Leonard enjoyed many activities together, including fishing, gardening, card parties, dancing, and time spent traveling to Wisconsin and northern Minnesota to visit family and friends.

Being of German descent, but married to a Finn, Agnes grew to love Saturday night saunas.

She was proud of being the flag bearer for the Cokato Auxiliary for many years and marching in parades with the Legion. After her retirement and well into her 80s, Agnes racked up countless miles serving as a volunteer driver for Wright County Social Services, bringing people to their various appointments.

She also traveled to Guatemala to visit her granddaughter’s family, and spent three weeks touring Europe with her two daughters.

Agnes lived in the Cokato Charitable Trust community during her later years. She enjoyed many activities including the whist group at Edgewood Gables which met once a week; attending Mass, visiting with family and friends, fishing, van rides, and various outings.

Her smile and pleasant nature will be missed by all.

She is survived by daughters Norma (Curt) Johnson of Woodbury, and Renee’ (Peter) Engel of Craig, CO; grandchildren Cathy (Glenn) Blumhorst, Beth (Steve) Fridinger, Marcus (Carolyn) Johnson, Sarah (Ben) Johnson-Markve, Jadd Reller, and Micah Reller; great-grandchildren Nathan, Allie, Evan, Caleb, Luke, Ellis, Landon and Mae; and many nephews and nieces.

Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, John and Sophie Schlagel; her, husband, Leonard; four brothers; and two sisters.

A memorial service for Agnes Saari will take place later this summer.

The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.chilsonfuneralhome.com.

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