Olga Eliisa Maki

OLGA ELIISA (Harju) MAKI

 July 5, 1917 - Augut 6, 2019

            Olga Eliisa Maki, age 102 passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2019 with her daughter Gay and niece Velma at her side.

            Olga was born on July 5, 1917 in Green Valley Township, Becker County, Minnesota to John and Kaisa (Ylitalo) Harju.  It was in this same area that she attended the Green Valley District 56 Country School and grew into a young woman.  She helped out on the family farm until moving to Butte, Montana with her aunt and gained employment as a maid for a few years.  She returned to the Green Valley area and in July of 1938 was united in marriage to Albert Jokela.  This union was blessed with a daughter, Gay.  In addition to caring for her family, Olga worked for the Ringer Company and also Super Valu in Park Rapids.  In August of 1959, Olga and her daughter, Gay, moved to Duluth, MN and Olga began working at the Garon Knitting Mill. In September of 1965, Olga was married to John Maki.  They made their home in Two Harbors, MN.  John passed away on March 15, 1985.  Olga moved to the Pine Villa Apartments in Menahga and then the Court Apartments in Park Rapids to be closer to family.  She lived with her daughter for several years before moving to the Care Age Home near Park Rapids.  In 2018 she became a resident of the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga.

            Olga had many hobbies and interests.  In her younger years, she was active in the Green Valley Friendly Homemakers Club and the VFW Auxiliary.  She was gifted with her hands and enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and craftwork.  She was also an avid gardener and could be found tending to her plants on warm summer mornings.  She was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids.  Olga enjoyed traveling, and her trip to Berlin, Germany with her grandson for her granddaughter’s high school graduation was one of the highlights in her life.  Olga loved her family and always took an interest in their activities.  She was kind-hearted, had a good sense of humor and always enjoyed a good laugh. 

            She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Gay (Brian) Aubin of Duluth, MN; two grandchildren:  Brian (Kimberly) Aubin of Houston, TX; and Lara (Steve) Daniel of Conifer, CO; two great-granddaughters, Kendall and Reagan Aubin; a step-son, Paul (Darlene) Maki of Brimson, MN; several step-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

            Olga was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John; three sisters:  Esther Pulju; Jennie Harper, and Sylvia Holmes; and seven brothers: Arthur, Arnold, Elmer, Thomas, Walter, Robert and, Bennie.

            Memorial services will be held 11 AM, Saturday, August 24, 2019, at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, MN with Reverend James Neubauer officiating.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.  Inurnment will be in the Menahga City Cemetery.

            To leave online condolences or to view the tribute video please visit www.jonespearson.com