Carol May Maki

Carol Maki

MASS CITY, Mich. — Carol Maki, a longtime resident of the Mass City area known to locals as East Branch, died Sunday, August 5 at her home. She was 68.

Born May 13, 1950, she was the youngest daughter of Waino and Florence (Korri) Niemi, who at the time lived in Sidnaw, Michigan. Florence died early in Carol’s life; after some years, her father married Elma Isaacson.

Carol attended the L’Anse Area Schools until her junior year of high school, when her father accepted a work transfer and the family relocated to Mass City. Carol graduated from Ontonagon Area High School with the class of 1968.

In the years after graduation, she met Steve Maki, also of Mass City, and the two were married on May 19, 1973. The couple was blessed with three sons — David, Daniel and Jared.

Carol worked for Citizen’s State Bank in Ontonagon for several years before resigning her position to devote her time to raising her children. For a short time during her sons’ youth, she served as a postal clerk at the Mass City post office, but after some months realized that her time was best spent with her family – a philosophy that served as her foundation throughout the remainder of her years.

As her “nest” began to empty, Carol opted to share her time and talents in different roles with community organizations. She served for several years as treasurer for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Mass City, was a regular on the Greenland Township election board, canvassed the community for the Census Bureau, assisted the American Cancer Society with its annual door-to-door fundraising efforts, and was always willing to provide a hand, a meal, a few dollars, or her time, to whatever or whomever might be in need.

Carol always made time, though for family and friends. If she couldn’t be found at home tending to her flowers or buried in a good book, magazine or crossword puzzle, she was more than likely out with “the ladies” enjoying an afternoon or evening of story swapping and plenty of laughter. 

What brought her the most joy, without a doubt, were her six grandchildren; her granddaughters Taryn, Kendall, Logyn, Parker and Michaela and her grandson Joe were truly her world and gave her the opportunity to fulfill the role she had longed for – being a “Nana.”

Along with her beloved grandchildren, Carol is survived by her husband Steve of East Branch; sons David (Amy) of Dollar Bay, Michigan, Daniel (Melanie) of Union Grove, Wisconsin, and Jared (Melanie) of Oak Creek, Wisconsin; brother Gerald (Sonja) Niemi of Mass City; step-brother Bill (Lila) Hermanson of Boyne City, Michigan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-law relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents and step-mother, sisters Irene Marie McCormick and Bonnie Niemi (who died in early childhood); and her step-brother George Hermanson.

Funeral services will take place Friday, August 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Mass City, with Revs. Michael Laakko and Jay Welshonse officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Cane Funeral Home of Ontonagon is assisting the family with arrangements.

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