Harold Saaranen, 67, of Rockland, Michigan passed away on August 10, 2012 at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock, Michigan.

He was born on September 19, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan to parents Andrew and Della (Keranen) Saaranen. He was married on March 12, 1966 to Martha Laitala. They have three children: Cheryl (Russ) Dahlke, Brenda (Tom) Brookins and Howard Saaranen; eight grandchildren: Nicole Picotte, Brianna LaSee, Jacob and Jackson Dahlke, Kaitlyn and Maegan Brookins, and Taylor and Sabastian Saaranen.

Harold graduated from Mass City High School in 1962, where he enjoyed playing basketball. After graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War as a radar operator. He was station near the Tan Son Nhut Airbase. During his service, he received the following honors: the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Sharpshooter (Rifle M14). He was honorably discharged as a Specialist 4. After returning home, he worked at the former Ontonagon Paper Mill as a pipe fitter for 34 years, then retired due to medical problems.

He was a member of the Wainola Lutheran Church, enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting, four-wheeling, mowing lawns and pitching softball. He was also an avid Detroit Tigers fan.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Della Saaranen, and brother Paul.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 13 from 5-8 p.m. at the Cane Funeral Home in Ontonagon.

Funeral Services will take place Tuesday, August 14 at 1 p.m. at Wainola Lutheran Church in Mass City with burial and Military Rites at Woodlawn Cemetery in Rockland. A luncheon will follow at the Rockland Community Center.