Mrs. Carol Jean Saar (nee Miller), of Red Deer, Alberta, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, after unexpected complications from multiple health issues at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Wednesday December 28, 2022 at the age of 81 years.

Carol was born on March 6, 1941 in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, to Rev. Alfred and Mrs. Hilda Miller. Both of Carol’s parents came from large families and her childhood was filled with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins.

As a Pastor during the 1940’s, the family moved quite a lot, in order for her Dad to preach services in both German and English to a large geographical area. Joining the family were her brother Ron in 1945 (born in Camrose), and sister Deb in 1958 (born in Calgary). The family eventually settled in Calgary, Alberta, where Carol completed High School and entered Nursing at the Calgary General Hospital.

She met Norman Saar in 1959 at Walther League, a Lutheran Young Person’s League in Calgary Alberta at her Dad’s church. They were smitten! By the time Carol graduated from nursing school in 1962, she was already engaged. In fact, prior to being engaged, Carol’s brother Ron asked his parents if Norman could come and live with them, as Carol was living in residence at the General. With that, Norman became part of the family and was dearly loved by all.

Carol and Norman were married on September 29, 1962 in Calgary and following a short honeymoon in Banff, settled into life in Calgary. They started their own family in 1965 with the birth of their son, Michael James, followed by a daughter, Catherine Louise, on May 17, 1967.

Both Norman and Carol were raised in strong Lutheran backgrounds and instilled their love of Jesus Christ to their children. The family are long-time members of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Red Deer, Alberta.

In 1968, the family moved to Red Deer, Alberta, to the house that Carol lived in until just prior to her death. The family was joined with another son, Robert Douglas, on September 22, 1971. Carol was an excellent wife, mother, cook and homemaker, always putting the needs of her family above her own. She put her career aside to raise her children until 1980 when she returned to work in the health care field until her retirement in June 2006. By that time, Norman had been diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and she was determined that they would be together in whatever time they had left. Norman passed away on October 22, 2010.

Carol was an extremely compassionate and gentle soul who always treated everyone she met with kindness and respect. She was a great blessing to many and an example of how to live life as a Child of God. Her tremendous faith in the Lord was especially evident in the last few years of her life. She accepted life’s changes with dignity and humor, showing us how to grow old gracefully.

Carol will be lovingly remembered by her children, Mike, Cathy and Rob, all of Red Deer. She is also survived by her brother, Ron Miller of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and sister Deb (Jack) Bexfield of Edmonton, Alberta and their family, sisters and brothers-in-law, Doris Saar, Ernie Saar, Wayne (Judi) Saar, Keith (Rose) Saar and Faye Saar, all in Ontario, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends.

A Funeral Service was held at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 18 Selkirk Blvd., Red Deer, Alberta on Tuesday, January 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Interment followed at the Alto Reste Cemetery, Red Deer, Alberta. For those unable to attend, please go to www.parklandfuneralhome.com and click on the Live Stream button from the Home Page of the website, just prior to the Funeral Service.

If desired, Memorial Donations in Carol’s honour may be made directly to The Lutheran Hour of Canada, c/o Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 18 Selkirk Blvd., Red Deer AB T4N 0G2.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Jolene Jones

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER.

• Date : 2023-01-04
• Location : www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com