Don L. Maki

A Celebration of Life for Don Lawrence Maki, 67, of Aurora and Casa Grande, AZ, will be held 1pm Friday, June 7, 2013 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Aurora with Pastor Brendan Johnston officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Don died Thursday, May 9, 2013 at Promise Acute Care Center in Mesa, AZ. Don was born October 6, 1945 in Biwabik, MN to Benhart and Lila (Aho) Maki. He attended Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School and graduated from Stout State University in Menomonie, WI. On April 24, 1964 he married Jeanne Kraakmo. Upon his graduation from college, Don taught school in Sussex, WI. In 1975 he and his family moved back to Aurora and he began working for Erie Mining Company, retiring in 2000. He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church where as a young man he received the Pro Deo et Patria (for God and country) Award, highest bestowed by the Lutheran Church of America on a Boy Scout. He had served as Cub Master with the Boy Scouts and was a member of the Northern Engineers Club and enjoyed being a member of the Jaycee's. Don enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He and Jeanne enjoyed 13 years of retirement, spending the last ten winters in Casa Grande, AZ. Don is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jeanne Maki; daughter, Tammy (Dave) Warren of Ramsey, MN; son, Mark (Terri) Maki of Fargo, ND; grandson, Jake Warren; granddaughters, Megan Warren and Haddy Maki; brother, Richard (Nancy) Maki; sister, Roberta (Jim) Turk, brother-in-law, Duane Smith and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, sister, Joyce Smith, brother-in-law, Michal Ziebell.