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Elsie Pauline Maki

MARQUETTE, MI — Elsie Pauline Maki, of Marquette Township, and lifelong resident of the Upper Peninsula, entered eternal life with the promise of Jesus Christ on Saturday, February 18, 2017, surrounded by family, friends, and hospice.

She was born to John and Mary (Ruohomaki) Makinen of Drummond Island. As a young girl, Elsie had an adventurous spirit, taking on many challenges, trying almost anything. She earned straight A’s, was involved with 4-H, baked her own bread, made her own birthday cake and birthday dress, made her own stationary with her name on it, manicured her nails, drove a truck and learned to fly an airplane. She graduated from DeTour High School, later married Wilbert C. Wiinamaki, moved to Mohawk, then Marquette to raise a family.

She attended Northern Michigan University achieving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1970, continuing with graduate studies thereafter. She spent most of her career teaching at Silver Creek Elementary School in Harvey for 23 years, while substituting in various schools before and after retirement, touching the lives of hundreds of children. She also enjoyed her involvement with the Young Authors program and was well known for planning and directing the Silver Creek fourth grade yearly Christmas plays.

After her husband Wilbert passed away, she continued to raise her children and teach. A few years later she married, William Maki. Throughout their life together, they golfed, cross country skied, played cards, initiated family and friend gatherings, enjoyed car rides along Lake Superior and traveled extensively throughout the North American continent. After retirement, Elsie and Bill spent several years as snowbirds in Benson, Arizona. They made many new friends, hosting family and friends from the great white north of the U.P.

For most of her life, Elsie was an active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. She was involved with the altar guild, bible study groups, holding church council positions, and served as president through the later years of her involvement.

She was a life-long member of Presque Isle Chapter #403, Order of Eastern Star serving upward as Worthy Matron.

She will be remembered affectionately through her many social activities and interests, through her kindness, compassion and devotion with pure unconditional love to everyone. Good hearted, she would do anything, for anybody, anytime…valuing the gift of family and friends.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Makinen; her husband, Wilbert C. Wiinamaki; son, John W. Wiinamaki; sisters, Helen (Harold) Ward, Anne (Paul) Helminen, Margaret (Mike) Sprietzer, Victoria Campbell; brother Colin (Mary) Campbell; and Heather aka the granddog.

She is survived by her husband, William P. Maki of Marquette; Terry (Tim) Keuscher of Marquette, Janet (Brad) Weis of Moab, Utah; good friends, Diane and John Manchester of Marquette; and granddogs, Hannah and Katrina of Marquette, along with several brother and sisters-in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Friends may call at Messiah Lutheran Church, 305 W. Magnetic St., Marquette, MI 49855 on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 am in the church with Rev. Amanda Kossow officiating. A reception will follow in Magnuson Hall. Burial will be in the Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may directed to the family.

The family wishes to thank you for your kind friendship, love and remembrances.

The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com