4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 2, 2023 O'Connell Family Funeral Home 520 11th Street South Hudson WI, 54016
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023 United Methodist Church 1401 Laurel Ave Hudson WI, 54016
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Friday, November 3, 2023 United Methodist Church 1401 Laurel Ave Hudson WI, 54016
Harry E. Maki, 90, Hudson, WI, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 20, 2023 at the Christian Community Home in Osceola, WI.
Harry was born in Menagha, MN on May 19, 1933 to Arvid and Ida Maki. Growing up in a Finnish speaking household, he didn’t learn English until he was five years old. As a big, strong guy he learned the value of hard work and helping family and relatives on the farm or the sawmill. The family moved to Deer River, MN. where he graduated from High School. He enjoyed playing basketball and football in high school and most important to him, he met the love of his life, Marlis Graham. Following high school, he served in the U.S. Army. On July 10, 1954 Marlis and Harry were married. In 1959, they moved to Hudson. They were blessed with two sons, Jeff and Bob.
Harry wore many hats throughout his life that he was very proud of, such as working in the iron ore mines, driving semi and working at 3M for 28 years in Abrasives manufacturing. Harry could be described in Finnish as having a lot of Sisu, very humble and having a lot of perseverance. He loved spending time with family, especially his six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He and Marlis started a tradition of family vacations at Ottertail Lake, which continues to this day. He loved sports and especially watching his grandkids play soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and golf.
Harry and Marlis were longtime active members of the United Methodist Church in Hudson. Harry was very proud of volunteering to help at the Wednesday morning food shelf for 31 years.
In addition, he loved fitness, going to the YMCA and his favorite activity was riding his bicycle. He put thousands of miles on his bike riding across the country, in the MS150 for 15 years, and riding around the Hudson area. He kept a journal of all of his rides and miles ridden!
Harry remains in the hearts of his brother Roy (Sandra), his sons, Jeff (Sonja) and Bob (Becky) Maki; grandchildren, Peter (Jennifer), Taylor (Nate Waters), Joanna, Sam (Michaela DeGross), Jack and Daniel; great-grandchildren, Abigail, Charlie Rose, and Tucker Waters and Palmer Maki; nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Marlis; his parents, Arvid and Ida Maki; and his sisters Marie Nordahl and Millie Jokela.
A visitation for Harry will be held Thursday, November 2, 2023 at O’Connell Family Funeral Home-Hudson, 520 S. Eleventh Street, Hudson, WI 54016, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 3, 2023 at Hudson Methodist Church, 1401 Laurel Avenue, Hudson, WI 54016 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation an hour prior. Interment at Willow River Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Hudson United Methodist Church or the family.
Funeral services entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson.
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I always enjoyed talking with Harry whenever we would meet, his life experiences were immense and as a HHS teacher I had his boys as students. The world needs more people like Harry Maki.
We always enjoyed it when Harry would join our “coffee table” at McDonald ‘s and hearing about the many miles he rode his bike. Nice man.
Much Sympathy to one and all.
I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Harry’s passing – he was a wonderful man and will be missed by all who knew him. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers for my cousins Jeff and Bob and their families, Uncle Roy and the entire Maki family. Love you all. Lynda
Uncle Harry was to me always such a calm easy going Man!! I always looked up to him and loved the times I was able to visit with him! My sympathies go out to Jeff and Bob and their Families
Dear Jeff and Bob-
I was so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. But what a wonderful and long life he lived. He was so active and involved, helping others. He always had a sheepish smile and gentle conversation whenever I would run into him. I know his family and friends will miss him terribly but that just shows how much he was loved. You will be in my thoughts and my prayers.
I LOVED this man!! He told me to call him Hank and every time I would run into him at the YMCA he had a big smile on his face and we would walk some laps together and talk and just visit. He was always so happy and so kind. I will never forget him as long as I live. He made my day. I would talk to him about his cycling hobby and he had me beat by many many miles! God bless him and your family and please be comforted by the fact that he touched many lives.
I always enjoyed talking with Harry whenever we would meet, his life experiences were immense and as a HHS teacher I had his boys as students. The world needs more people like Harry Maki.
We always enjoyed it when Harry would join our “coffee table” at McDonald ‘s and hearing about the many miles he rode his bike. Nice man.
Much Sympathy to one and all.
I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Harry’s passing – he was a wonderful man and will be missed by all who knew him. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers for my cousins Jeff and Bob and their families, Uncle Roy and the entire Maki family. Love you all. Lynda
Uncle Harry was to me always such a calm easy going Man!! I always looked up to him and loved the times I was able to visit with him! My sympathies go out to Jeff and Bob and their Families
Dear Jeff and Bob-
I was so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. But what a wonderful and long life he lived. He was so active and involved, helping others. He always had a sheepish smile and gentle conversation whenever I would run into him. I know his family and friends will miss him terribly but that just shows how much he was loved. You will be in my thoughts and my prayers.
I LOVED this man!! He told me to call him Hank and every time I would run into him at the YMCA he had a big smile on his face and we would walk some laps together and talk and just visit. He was always so happy and so kind. I will never forget him as long as I live. He made my day. I would talk to him about his cycling hobby and he had me beat by many many miles! God bless him and your family and please be comforted by the fact that he touched many lives.