Barbara Jean Maki

Barbara Jean (Bell) Maki - Age 81 Barbara was born June 16, 1934, in Eau Claire, WI, to Wallace L. Bell and Lillian (Moilan) Bell. She grew up in Duluth with siblings Richard and Vera. She attended Duluth Central High School. She married Vernon Swaney Maki on February 1, 1951. They had seven children and moved to Hoyt Lakes in 1956. Barb worked as a cook at the Taconite Haven in Hoyt Lakes, as head cook at the White Community Hospital, and at the Aurora Moose Club. She was a great cook - her family and friends especially loved her caramel rolls and calico beans! Later in life, Barb was the manager at Fisherman’s Point campground in Hoyt Lakes. Barb was a league bowler for many years. She loved music and could often be heard singing along to the radio or records. Barb was an active member of the Colby Lake Water Ski & Boat Club for years and was a part of the group that founded the club. She even went water skiing on her 50th birthday! Barb and Vern moved to Bass Lake in 1971, fulfilling a dream of living on a lake. After her husband’s death in 1981, she moved to Florida for a few years before moving back to Aurora and then to Virginia MN. In 2013, declining health led to her move to Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Mt. Iron where she resided until her death. Barb was a compassionate friend and a radiant source of loving affection and care. Her greatest hope was that we love one another. We do. Barb will be sadly missed by her children - Pamela (Jerome) Schmitt, Craig (Victoria), LeAnne (Duane) Rudolph, Crystal, Keith (Patty), and Brian; grandchildren – Rebecca Lee, Sarah Gans, Rachel Kemp, Michael Schmitt, Christopher Maki, Eric Maki, Justin Champa, Janelle Dolinsek, Corryn Champa, Jenna Altobelli, Kelsi Rice, Kate Lindahl, Nathan Lindahl, Kyle McKenna, Taylor Maki, Bennett Maki, Nicholas Maki, Grace Maki, and Grant Maki; 18 great grandchildren; sister, Vera E. Skoglund, Duluth; brother in law, John M. Hill, AZ; sister in law, Ramona (Mark) Norman, AK; numerous nieces and nephews; and many longtime friends. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Vernon, infant daughter Jean Elizabeth, her parents, grandparents, brother Richard, and special companion of many years Nick Leskiw. Funeral service to be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Palo, 4096 Highway 100, Aurora, MN, on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at 10:00 AM. Gathering of friends begins at 9:30 AM. Lunch and a chance to share your memories will follow the service. Private burial will be at a later date. Arrangements by Ziemer- Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Homes, Gilbert.