Verna May Maki

Verna May Maki, 89 of Cloquet passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2016 in Shoreview Senior Living in Shoreview, Minnesota. She was born May 9, 1927 in Iron Mountain, Michigan to John and Mayme Kallinen. She attended school through the tenth grade in Oulu, Wisconsin and her Jr and Sr. years at Duluth Central high School. Verna worked as a beautician at The Country Beauty Salon in her own home on Koski Road in Esko until 1984. Verna was married to Arvo Maki from 1947 until his death in 1970. In 1972 she married Thure Tiili until his death in 1998. In 2000 she married Norman Ekelund until his death in 2010. Verna was a member of Elim Lutheran Church in Duluth and the Ladies of the Kaleva in Cloquet. Verna was preceded in death by her three husbands; a daughter, Mary Maki; two grandsons, Paul and Derrick Maki; a great grandson, Forrest John McCracken; and step-sons, Leland and Lyle Tiili. Verna is survived by her children, Priscilla Maki of Fridley, Michael (Margaret) Maki of Duluth, Patricia Maki of Shoreview, and Amelia "Amy"(John) McCracken of Payson Ariz.; seven grandchildren, Robyn Bolander, James (Colleen) Lamb, Michael Arvo Maki, Sarah Maki, Forrest (Siouxzan) McCracken, Robert (Alicia) Saka, and Nina (Dawn Bromiley) Maki; 10 great grandchildren, Payton and Kennedy Bolander, Abbie Baggenstoss, Maeve Saka, Katie, Patti, Madison, Alex, Yzabella, and Amyllei McCracken; brother, John (Mildred) Kallinen of Maple, Wisc.; sister, Irma Koivunen of Lebanon, Oregon; step-daughters, Linda (Lloyd) Shelton of Cromwell and LeAnne (Erling) Peterson of Cloquet; and numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family expresses their thanks and gratitude to Shoreview Senior Living for the wonderful care they provided to Verna for over two years. Visitation: 10 until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service Thursday, December 8, 2016 in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St., Cloquet. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com