Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Rita Marie (Skoviak) Saari

WHITE PINE, Mich. — Rita Marie (Skoviak) Saari, 71, of White Pine, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Monday, May 20, 2019, to the arms of her Heavenly Father. She defeated pancreatic cancer by fighting two years longer than doctors expected.

Rita was born Sept. 8, 1947, to John and Pauline (Chopp) Skoviak in Ontonagon. She grew up in White Pine and resided there for all but 3 years of her life. She was proud to be a White Pine Warrior and graduated in 1965.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, May 28 at the White Pine Community Methodist Church under the direction of Pastor Rosemary DeHut. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., the service will begin at 11 a.m. and a luncheon will follow at noon. Interment to follow at the Winona Cemetery located outside of Twin Lakes.

Cane Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.

The family requests in lieu of flowers to donate to the Ontonagon County Cancer Society.