Elaine Saaranen Elaine Amanda Saaranen, 82, of Rudyard, died Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace.

She was born July 27, 1926, in Wharton, New Jersey, to Elmer and Aili (nee Augustson) Kemp.

She lived in Rudyard for most of her life. In April 1945, she married Douglas Vern Saaranen.

Mrs. Saaranen loved to cook and bake. She also enjoyed knitting and camping. Her joy was caring for her family, friends said.

Mrs. Saaranen is survived by three daughters and their families, Darlene Goudreau of St. Ignace, Barbara and Steve Meyer of Gladstone, and Diane Zacher of St. Francis, Minnesota; five grandchildren and their families, Troy and Bernadette Goudreau, Robyn and Brad Spring, Kari and Steve Gagnon, Scot Gabriel, and Stacy Clermont, and eight great-grandchildren, Brandon Gagnon, Bradley Gagnon, Tarra Clermont, Kyana Burhite, Jordan Spring, Aimee Spring, Nicholas Goudreau, and Alysia Gabriel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas; a grandson, Perry Zacher; two brothers, Edwin Kemp and Walter Kemp, and a sister, Helen Mattson.

Services were held Friday, January 30, at Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford. Visitation was from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with the funeral at 4 p.m.

Spring burial will be in North Rudyard Cemetery.