Norma K. Maki

Norma Kyllikki Maki, age 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 14th, 2023, at the Lutheran Home, Arlington Heights, Illinois.

She was born in Gwinn, Michigan, the daughter of John and Alice (Blanck) Latola. Norma graduated from Gwinn High School in 1948. She attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan earning her BA and MA in education and music. After graduating, she began her teaching career in Escanaba, Michigan as an elementary school teacher.

On July 11th, 1953, she married William R. Maki, from North Lake, Michigan. After Bill completed his Air Force service in Yuma, Arizona, they moved back to the Upper Peninsula, where Bill attended Northern Michigan University and their first son, Bruce, was born. In 1958, they moved to Glenview, Illinois and later had two more sons, Phillip and David. In 1999, Norma and Bill moved to Luther Village in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Norma always knew that she wanted to teach piano. She began teaching at the age of 13 and continued into her 80s. For decades, she taught 50-60 students per week from her home in Glenview. Of course, her sons and all of her grandchildren were included in lessons. Norma also taught group lessons and co-authored a series of method books on group piano instruction.

Norma was a member of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association, the North Shore Piano Teachers Association, and the Northwest Suburban Piano Teachers Association. For several years she taught music at Willowbrook Elementary School in Glenview.

In the mid-1960s, Bill built a cottage “camp” on Little Lake in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. They spent more than 50 summers together at the camp. Norma was often found weaving rugs, swimming, playing piano, baking, or picking berries and making jam. She always looked forward to visiting with family and friends as soon as they arrived for the summer. Everyone loved her warm and generous personality, sense of fun, and subtle wit. She was proud of her Finnish heritage and deep roots in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Norma is survived by her three sons; Bruce (Kim West) Maki of Ithaca, Michigan, Phillip (Teresa) Maki of Mundelein, Illinois and David (Alison) Maki of Arlington Heights, Illinois, four grandchildren; Sophia (Andrew) Lind, Daniel Maki, Lucas Maki and Clara Maki, brother-in-law; Vernon Sarasin and many nieces and nephews.

Norma was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 67 years; Bill Maki, her parents, stepmother; Anna Latola, sisters; Luella Marin and Karen Sarasin, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law; Martin Marin, Richard and Ruth Maki and her grandsons; Eric Maki and Ross Maki.

A memorial service will be held at 10am on Saturday, June 10th, in the Chapel of St. John the Beloved, Lutheran Home, Arlington Heights, Illinois. A later memorial service is planned for this summer in Gwinn, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial funds may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church in Gwinn.