Maximillian Jakel

Funeral Mass for Maximillian Matthew "Max" Jakel, 84, of Gilbert, will be 10am Thursday April 1, 2010 in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gilbert with Fr. Charles Flynn as celebrant. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the mass at church. Military honors accorded by the Gilbert Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. Burial will be in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Mr. Jakel died Sunday March 28, 2010 in St. Michael's Health and Rehab Center in Virginia. He was born April 2, 1925 in Hutter, MN to John and Magdalena (Cvetkovich) Jakel. Max was a graduate of Gilbert High School and in August of 1943 joined the Army Air Corps where he served until Oct. 22, 1945. He completed 31 missions as a gunner on a B-17 and operated and maintained Sperry Ball Turret where he fired 50 caliber machine guns. In June of 1949 he married Eila Heikkila and the couple resided and raised their family in Gilbert. Through the years he worked at Stanley Mine, Erie Mining Company, Mesabi Bituminous and Uland Brothers. Max also owned and operated Gilbert Gravel Company with his partner Anton Nemanick. During their retirement years, he and Eila traveled visiting friends and family and spent much time fishing and gardening at the lake. He also enjoyed attending daily mass which he so loved. Survivors include his daughters: Nancy (Edward) Bombich of Gilbert and Karen Jakel of Minneapolis; granddaughters: Amy (Grady) Coon of Underwood, IA and Lisa Grahek of South St. Paul; sisters: Josie Polich of Chicago and Jennie Miller of Chicago; sister-in-law: Helen Jakel of Gilbert ; many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Eila; ten brothers and sisters.