Irene Maki Johnson

Irene Maki Johnson, 86 died Friday, January 29, 2010 in Grand Rapids, MN. Irene Virginia Ojanen was born at home on March 19, 1923 in Squaw Lake, MN, the first child of William and Selma (Hyttinen) Ojanen. In order to continue her education she moved from home as a teenager to Grand Rapids where she worked for room and board, an education in itself. She married Arnold Maki "a soldier boy" on March 3, 1945. The union was blessed with 4 sons. Since 1946 Irene and Arnold managed co-operative stores in several locations. In 1957 they purchased the Four Corners Store, south of Cromwell, providing them with a living for the next 20 years. Arnold died November 7, 1982. On June 18, 1988 Irene married her childhood sweetheart, Emil Johnson and has resided in Grand Rapids ever since. In 2006, Irene and Emil compiled and had published the 331 page "The History of Good Hope Township, Itasca County, MN" in commemoration of the township's 100th anniversary. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Arnold Maki; their son, Paul; and her brothers Art and Alvin Ojanen. She is survived by her husband, Emil Johnson; her sons, William (Karen) Maki of Nevis, MN, Robert Maki of Grand Marais, and Charles (Pam) Maki of Cromwell; 6 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren. The family will remember Irene for her homemade Finnish bread, her lengthy typed letters, her love of vegetable and flower gardening, and her life long stewardship philosophy of "reduce, reuse and recycle". Memorial services were held on Friday, February 5, 2010 in Bethany Lutheran Church, Highway 210 West, Cromwell. A luncheon followed the service in the fellowship hall of the church. Inurnment will be held Mother's Day, May 9, 2010 at Eagle Lake Cemetery in Cromwell. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute see, www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com