In Loving Memory of
Walter Erick Saarela
age 87
Lovingly remembered by his wife Pat, 
son Jeffery (Jessica), son Grant (Leanne) and 
daughter -in-law Sarah as well as their families.  
Walter was predeceased by his son Darin.

 

Died
November 23, 2024
Tabor Home
Morden, Manitoba

Celebration of Life 
Friday, November 29, 2024
Royal Canadian Legion
Manitou, Manitoba 
2:00 p.m.

Family Interment ~ Manitou Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Walter may be made to Tabor Home 450 Loren Dr. Morden, Manitoba R6M 0E2.

https://www.taborhome.ca/donate

 

Peacefully with his family by his side, Walter Erick Saarela passed away at Tabor Home in Morden, Man., at the age of 87 years.

He is survived by his wife Pat, daughter-in-law Sarah Saarela (Ryley, Aspen and Shae Baragar (Schadie Brown), son Jeffery and Jessica Freeborn (Luka and Nora), son Grant and Leanne {Nicole (Brodie Hird) and Nathalie (Dyllan Peters)}, brother Arvid and sister-in-law Sylvia Saarela, niece Beverley and nephew Arthur.

He was predeceased by his parents Eric and Hilma Saarela, in-laws Louis and Mary Kohar, son Darin and brother James.

Walter grew up on the family farm in Elma, Man. At the age of 15, Walter was stricken with polio and spent time in an iron lung in Winnipeg. Upon recovery he took a radio technicians course and completed teacher's college. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. He taught elementary school for many years, including in Seven Sisters, Stony Hill, Stead, Churchill, La Riviere and Crystal City, Man., and in Sioux Narrows, Ont. Many of the schools were one room schools. After teaching school he became a drivers education instructor and taught many of the young drivers in the Pembina Valley throughout the 1990s.

Walter, Pat and Darin (born in Churchill in May 1974) settled in Manitou, in June 1974, where they raised their growing family. Walter was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He always found ways to stay busy and enjoyed woodworking, cars, reading the paper and watching the news, auction sales, gardening, fixing things, taking apart things to see what parts could be salvaged, and general puttering around. We will miss him dearly.

We are thankful for the excellent care provided by the staff of Cedar House at Tabor Home for the last five years.