Submit a PhotoMichael Eugene Saager of Gilbert, Arizona passed away at the age of 66 on Sunday, October 29, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children.
He was born February 13, 1957, in Ottawa, Illinois and was the son of Garth Eugene Saager and Sandra Kay Auten. Mike married the love of his life Wendy Lee Saager on September 25, 1981, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They were married for 42 wonderful years. He is survived by six boys that he loved so much, Jason (Ksenia), Matthew, Brad (Courtney), Aaron (Cassidy), Zach and Nick. He also had four grandchildren that were so important to him — Hudson, Reese, Sylvie, and Wes. He is survived by his sister Lori, brother Craig, and father Garth (Dee). He is preceded in death by his mother, Sandy.
Mike was a proud alumnus of Scottsdale High School, NAU, and BYU. He served his LDS mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 1977 to 1979. He lived in Scottsdale for 40 years before moving to Mesa for 20 years, and then to Gilbert for the last 5 years of his life to be closer to some of his grandchildren.
Mike was a Real Estate investor, developer, and a Designated Broker for Saager Properties for over 30 years. He owned thousands of acres of vacant land and helped develop many residential subdivisions, spec homes, office buildings, and vacant land in 9 of the 13 counties in Arizona.
He loved spending time outdoors in northern Arizona at his cabin in the mountains. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing basketball, as well as watching sports. He especially loved watching football and basketball. He was an avid reader and loved listening to music. His favorite things to do were spending time with his wife attending concerts, watching sports with his children, and going on vacations with his boys and grandkids. All Mike ever wanted was for his family to be happy and healthy. He was a very sentimental and genuine man who touched the lives of so many. He loved serving in his various church callings, particularly his time as Bishop of the Arcadia ward. He was passionate about working with the youth in the church throughout his adult life.
His funeral will be held on November 4, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 495 S. Greenfield Rd. in Gilbert, AZ. He will be laid to rest under a tree at the Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery.
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Mike was a great person and loved by all of us. Our prayer and wishes go out to his great family
Oh Wendy, Sons, Daughter-in-laws and grandchildren I am so very sorry that Michael has left you all to soon. Michael Saager was a fabulous and very loving Bishop to me growing up. It was always so fun seeing all 8 Saager family members at church every Sunday. Saager family always remember that your husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather will be watching over and helping you all through life. You are surrounded by so many family and friends who love and support you through this very difficult time.
Mike was always a kind, gentle, sincere friend.
Wendy—I nodded and smiled when Jason quoted your assessment of young Mike Saager: “He is a good person.” He truly was. I’ve known few people so eager to help others. I am grateful for his kind, good influence on my family.
I love you, Wendy, and I pray that you and your family will be blessed with comfort and peace.
The only time our paths crossed were our four years at Scottsdale High. I knew then Mike was destined to do great things. I am sorry to hear of his passing. May God be with you and your family.
Mike was very generous with his knowledge and encouragement. A good and faithful servant.
To ALL the family of Mike Saager…my utmost condolences. 💔 I will always remember Mike as gentle and soft spoken. My Dad worked with his dad at the POA of McCormick. So much love and prayers to Mike’s wife, sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren. 🙏🏼 May God bless you all.
Mike & Wendy are two of the kindest genuine people I have been fortunate enough to know. I worked for them at Saager Properties for over 6 yrs. We had a lot of fun & work was always fun especially building the two office complexes & their beautiful home in Mesa. Mike taught me a lot about business, service & negotiations. His family meant everything to him. He will be missed by those of us who were fortunate to know him. Sending lots of love ❤️ & prayers to Wendy & the boys.
Dear Wendy and family,
I am so sorry for ur great loss! I did not know if Mike’s passing until this very moment when a very dear friend sent me a notice today (11/10/23). I would dearly loved having been at his funeral in support and honor of him. He was a great friend whom I knew well both personally and professionally! Due to the move you all made to the SEValley, our close relationship w/all you Saager’s , unfortunately, became almost obsolete Im sorry to say. Still, it was comforting to know you were all there and accessible whenever we could manage the time. I’m so sorry we didn’t make those efforts when we could have! may the Lord Bless and comfort you, ur family, and all of us in this sad loss! Hugs, Kay Stolworthy