Jacob J. Saari

Jacob J. Saari, 47, passed away on September 12, 2024.

He was born in Wausau, WI, on May 4, 1977, the son of Marvin and Gayle (Leahman) Saari. Jacob graduated from Wausau West High School in 1995 and attended UW Stevens Point and UW La Crosse universities. He then graduated from the Police Academy in Austin, TX, where he worked as a police officer. In 2005 he joined the Neenah Police Department and was a part of the SWAT team until 2016. He then went on to work as a foreman with Utility, Traffic, and Restoration traffic control.

Jacob was very active in high school, competing as a wrestler and playing football. He was the state runner-up champion for wrestling. He also enjoyed deer hunting, fly fishing, hiking, and snowmobiling. He loved riding motorcycles, particularly his Harley. Jacob had a love for listening to music and watching movies. He had a habit of quoting the movie while you watched. He had a great blunt sense of humor and a wonderful laugh that will be remembered. Above all, Jacob loved his children. They were his pride and joy. He had such a huge heart full of love and empathy for everyone around him. He did the best he could with what he had.

Jacob is survived by his parents, Marv and Gayle Saari; children, Gracie, Sophia, Cece, Emma, Avery, and James; siblings, Brian (Jenni) Saari and Shane (Niki) Saari; wife, Pam Saari; first wife, Sarah (Bryan) Fletcher; very special friends, Matt Wiebel and Jeremy Smith; close friends and fellow officers, Stu Zuehls and John Karner; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

A memorial service will be held for Jacob on Monday, October 7, at 4:00 PM, at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St, Appleton. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM until the time of the service.

A Celebration of Life for Jacob will be held on October 27, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Village of Kronenwetter Community Room at the Village of Kronenwetter Municipal Center, 1582 Kronenwetter Drive, Kronenwetter, WI, 54455.

Please leave a memory of Jacob below to share with his friends and family.

“I wrote my own obituary. Once I clued in to the fact that life is finite, the thought of losing it didn’t scare me anymore. The end comes no matter what. The only thing that matters is how you wanna go out. On your feet or on your knees. I bring that lesson to my life. I act like that someday my life will end. No matter what.” 

~ Jacob Saari ~