Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Jean Mary Ann Maki, 89, a longtime resident of Wakefield, died on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at her home surrounded by loved ones.
Jean was born Jan. 29, 1933, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Fritz Pearson and Anna Axilia (Johnson) Pearson. She attended schools in Ironwood, graduating from Luther L. Wright High School in 1952.
Jean married Lauri O. Maki Sr. on July 31, 1954, at the Mission Covenant Church in Ironwood. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Carl, Fritz Bengt, Fritz John and George; two sisters, Dagni, in infancy, and Mae Lindquist; and an infant great-granddaughter, Evangeline Mae Maki.
Surviving are four sons, the Rev. Lauri Jr. (Lois), Ishpeming, Lee, Gwinn, Leslie (Liz Barto), Wakefield, and Larry (Lynn), Ewen; two daughters, Laura Krznarich, Wakefield, and Lynn Hill (Lowell Anderson), Ishpeming; two brothers-in-law, Kenneth Lindquist, Ironwood, and Eino (Jeanne) Maki, Downsville, Wisconsin; 19 grandchildren; seven great-grandsons; five great-granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.
Jean held many roles outside the home while her children were growing up. She was an excellent bookkeeper and was a nursing assistant at Josephson's Nursing Home in Ironwood. She assisted her sister, Mae, at Lindquist Electric in Ironwood. Jean served for 17 years as the office secretary at First Lutheran Church (All Saints Lutheran Church) in Wakefield, under the Rev. Rudy Kemppainen and Rev. Wayne Kuusisto.
Jean's greatest legacy was her humility and her unwavering faith knowing that everything was in God's hands. She lived each day with unconditional love, a quick-wit and a gentle, loving nature. "The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him." Exodus 15:2.
A graveside service will be held at the Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield, on Saturday, April 30, at noon.
Gifts may be given in Jean's memory to All Saints Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 1202 Putnam St., Wakefield, MI 49968, or HOPE Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 261, Ironwood, MI 49938.
Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with their arrangements. To send online condolences please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.
