Funeral services were held for Kenneth Maki, 72, of New York Mills, MN, on Thursday, September 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills with Pastor Jon T. Haakana, Pastor Gunnard Heikkila and Pastor David Maki officiating. The pallbearers were Brent Helmeke, Bradley Helmeke, Scott Maki, Todd Paavola, Joe Groebner and Chuck Groebner. The hymns were sung by the congregation, accompanied by Janell Brakel. Special music was provided by Gary Bach. Ken was laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery, New York Mills.
Kenneth Gustaf Maki was born on June 28, 1936, in New York Mills. His parents were the late William and Ida (Porkkonen) Maki. He graduated from New York Mills High School with the Class of 1954. On April 10, 1954, Kenneth was united in marriage to Aileen Eva Amberg at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in New York Mills. Their marriage was blessed with five children. They resided in New York Mills for seven years where Ken was employed at the Farmers & Merchants State Bank. They moved to Grand Rapids, MN, where Ken was employed for a loan company and Aileen raised their family. For the next 40 years, Ken and Aileen lived in Deer Creek, MN, where Ken owned Security State Bank and then began his own accounting business in 1977. In March of 2007, Ken and Aileen again made their home in New York Mills. Ken and Aileen were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek for 40 years. Ken served as Mayor of Deer Creek, served on the Deer Creek Fire Department and was a Lions Member in both Deer Creek and New York Mills.
Ken enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, laughing, golfing, bowling, deer hunting, spending time in the woods and logging. On June 13, 2007, Aileen passed away. On September 14, 2008, Ken passed away at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Preceding Ken in death was his wife, Aileen; their infant daughter, Jill Marie Maki; son, Gary Charles Maki; his parents, brother, Melvin Maki; sisters, Verna Windels and Arlene Essig.
Ken is survived by his daughter, Shellee (Roger) Hintz of Mankato; sons, Brian (Lynae) Maki of Henning, MN and Jay Maki of Volcano, CA; grandchildren: Jill (Jason) Ewy of Elk River, MN; Heidi Johnson of Lakeville, MN; Nicole Maki of Dallas, TX; Ashley Maki of Henning; Andrea (Tony) Barnes of Lakeville; and Nathan Hintz of LeCenter; great-grandchildren: Kileen and Jack Ewy, Carter Barnes and Ethan Hintz; sister, Ruth Pernula of New York Mills; sister-in-law, Mary Lee Maki of New York Mills; brother-in-law, Harley Windels of New York Mills; aunts: Mae (Irvin) Fraki of Baxter, MN; Lillian Fraki of Renton, WA; Edwin (Rose) Maki of Chicago, IL; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Elaine (Einar) Paavola of New York Mills; Marcy (Richard) Helmeke of New York Mills; Lorraine Barthel of Minneapolis, MN; David Amberg, Wayne Amberg, Paul Amberg, all of Anchorage, AK; Brenda (Keith) Boyne of Perham, MN; Becky (Brian) Lohse of Little Falls, MN; Sandy (Steve) Speed of Wadena, MN; Abbe (Tom) Campbell of Henning; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Arrangements were provided by Karvonen & Son Funeral Home, New York Mills. Condolences may be sent online at www.karvonenandsonfuneralhome.com .
