Mary A. Maki

Funeral service for Mary Annette (Ercegovich) Maki, , 91, of Fayal Township, will be 11am Friday, March 7, 2014 at United In Christ Lutheran Church in Eveleth with Pastor Joel Rova-Hegener officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30am at the church. Burial will be in the Gilbert Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to United In Christ Lutheran Church or the Croatian Fraternal Union Scholarship Fund. Local arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Mary died Sunday, March 2, 2014 at her residence. Mary was born October 24, 1922 in Gilbert to John and Ana (Tominovich) Ercegovich. She was salutatorian of the 1940 graduating class of Gilbert High School and later worked for Colemans Northstar Resort on Lake Kabetogema. Mary attended Eveleth Jr. College and later the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Following her schooling she worked for Pete's Cafe; there she met Walter Maki. On May 11, 1946 they were united into marriage in Virginia, MN. Mary was a devoted mother and homemaker. She enjoyed raising her children and was an integral part of the family farm. She worked as a clerk at Pamida and later for the Eveleth Schools where she cooked, worked in the laundry and retired as a library assistant at the age of 72. Mary was a devoted member of United In Christ Lutheran Church where she served as a past council member. She was given the Key Leader Award for 4-H, was a member of the Fayal Senior Citizens and a Life Member of the Croatian Fraternal Union where she served on the High Trial Board. She also served as past president of the Gilbert VFW Auxiliary. Survivors include her children: Thomas (Marie), Donald (Lynn), Elana (Dr. Brian) Pfeifer and Michael (Becky) all of Fayal Township; daughter-in-law, Janet Maki of New Hope; 14 grandchildren: David Maki, James (Rachelle) Maki, Kevin (Khar) Maki, Mark (Kara Kasparian) Maki, Thomas Maki Jr., Craig (Erin) Maki, Jill (Matt) Johnson, Corrie (Kyle) Knudson, Tamara (Nevin) Cavanaugh, Betsy Pfeifer, Brian (Carrie) Pfeifer, Donald (Aubray Pontinen) Pfeifer, Colleen Maki and Luke Maki; 15 great grandchildren: Drew, Naomi, Alexis, Levi, Michael, Lauren, Addison, Dylan, Griffin, Maija, Samantha, Mary Kate, Finn, Jack and Michael; sister: Julia Malnar of Gilbert; sister-in-law, Cindy Ercegovich of Pennsylvania; numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Walter; son, Walter Jr.; granddaughter, Sarah; siblings: John, Tom, Anton, Charles and Mike.