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We just learned from Carl McHugh that our classmate, Olle Saarinen, passed away earlier today. His wife, Kandi, has provided the following information about Olle.
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Olle Erik Saarinen
June 15,1946 - May 24, 2025
Olle was born to the late Maija-Lisa and Sven Emil Saarinen on June 15, 1946 in Myrskyla, Finland. Coming to America when he was 7.
Graduating from playing football and track at Evanston Township High School. Olle walked on to play football at Northern Illinois University. He was a proud Husky and NIU supporter.
Olle’s Careers began at O’Hare Airport working for TWA. Then moved on to working with his father-in-law, Quinn Hogan and brother-in-law, Kim Hogan building homes in Round Lake Park, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Village, Palatine, Grayslake,Buffalo Grove, Prairie View, Park City, Libertyville, Vernon Hills and North Chicago, Illinois. Winning The Million Dollar Builder award from The Chicago Tribune for 5 years.
Olle left the building business and because of September 11, 2001 he joined Homeland Security as a TSA officer at O’Hare Airport. Beginning his career at O’Hare Airport and ending his career at O’Hare Airport.
Retirement in 2018 took Olle his wife, Kandace and son Steve and dog George to live in North Fort Myers , Florida.
Olle loved life and his family and friends. He loved telling jokes to anyone who listened. Olle was happiest making people smile and laugh. We would be in a restaurant and if Olle saw a table and no one was smiling or talking he would go there and tell a joke or two and he left that table with all of them smiling and laughing and talking together.
Olle died at home, surrounded by love, family and the care of Hope Hospice.
Loved and survived by his wife, Kandace (celebrating 61 years of marriage this year) and sister’s, Barbara Saarinen of Port St. Lucie, FL, Kristina Saarinen (Andrew)of South Charleston, WV, Jennifer Saarinen of Port St Lucie, FL and Natalie Kohler (Kenneth) of Port St Lucie, FL.
Loved and survived by his children, Quentin Erik ( Diane) of Evans, GA , Tiffany Marie Saarinen Hundley of North Fort Myers, FL, Gregory Erik ( Hailey) of Bloomington, IL and Stephen Erik of North Fort Myers, FL.
Loved and survived by his grandchildren, Heather Hundley, Justin Hundley, Emma Hundley, Josh Hundley, Luka Saarinen, Amelia Saarinen, Charlie Saarinen and great granddaughter, Jocelyn Hundley.
And his dog, George.
Olle also cherished his chosen family from his past to those who remain active now in his life.
Jerry and Patty Kirkham, Carl and Linda McHugh, Billy Minear, Bruce and Joan McPherson, Kurt and Holly Marhoefer, Ken and Mary Borre, John and Ingrid Wicksall, Tad and Sue Leach, Don Hall, Rocco Sapienza, Bruce and Nancy Symonds, Bill and Cherie Dudick, David and Lizz Dabney.
In memory of Olle, go tell a joke and make someone laugh.
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Don Hall
Olle was a fun loving guy and superior athlete. Serious when pole vaulting (the Flying Finn) in track or mixing it up on the ETHS gridiron as a varsity letterman; you'd never know the joyful part of him if you met him on the field of competition. We became fast friends in highschool through mutual buddies (Hancock, Minear, Lienenweber, McHugh and Schwanbeck among others). As a member of the Hi-Y-Bull Club (named after Ronnie Bull of the Chicago Bears) our senior year, the name (Bull) was a moniker of convienence as we viewed ourselves as a bunch of B..S..ers, albeit a talented group. That we became the "Club of the Year" to this day befuddles us (see picture below). Again, great fun to be associated with this eclectic group. If you were down, Olle would lift you up. If sorrow struck, Olle would bring joy. Just the way he always was. Early in our senior year, Olle and I double-dated (Olle with Susan Liechty and I with Kandace Hogan '65); and, behold, a switch was made (Olle with Kandi and I with Sue) so the story goes. At the end of the graduation school year, Olle and I traveled to NIU thinking we'd attend there together; but, when my admission to Drake came through, our lives diverged. I am honored to be part of Olle's family of friends through his marriage to Kandi, his children and many that loved and admired him. We kept in touch over the years, but sadly not enough as time has run its course. See also below a picture from the summer of 1963 in front of the Hall Family Home (now a fire station replaces the Robinson Gas Station across the street) of Bill Minear, Olle, Phil Lienenweber-driver's seat, Steve Hancock and Myself...how time flys bye! Happy Trails my dear friend until we meet again. Don (aka Donut)
Edward Leach
Godspeed dear friend!