Ruth Maki
(January 18, 1931 - November 17, 2007)

Trenary

Ruth Mary Elaine Maki, age 76, of Second Avenue Trenary, died on Saturday afternoon, November 17, 2007 at Marquette General Hospital. She was born on January 18, 1931 in Forest Lake to John and Ellen (Ihamaki) Ylinen. Ruth attended Rock River Township Schools in Eben. She was employed by H.W. Gossard Company in Ishpeming and Gwinn from 1947 until 1948. Ruth married Martin B. Maki on May 29, 1949. She worked at the Chatham Telephone Company from 1948 until 1950. Ruth and Martin owned a dairy farm in Chatham from 1955 until 1965. She then worked for the U.S. Postal Service for twenty-seven years. Ruth was employed in Chatham, Munising, Grand Marais, AuTrain, and Forest Lake. She retired from the USPS as Postmaster of Trenary after serving eleven years there. In 1985, Ruth graduated from Munising High School where she earned her GED diploma. She was a lifetime member of the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham and she also served as treasurer and financial secretary. Ruth was a charter member of the Sion Guild and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, serving as treasurer for many years. She was also a member of the Sion Quilters where quilts were made for Lutheran World Relief. Ruth was a member of the NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees), Alger County Historical Society, and Trenary Shape-Ups. She enjoyed reading non fiction, Finnish and Latin music, crocheting, knitting, learning the Finnish language, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Ruth is survived by her husband of over fifty-eight years – Martin Maki of Trenary; three sons and daughters-in-law – David and Peggy Maki of Traunik, Mark and JoAnne Maki of Marquette, and Peter and Lori Maki of Sundell; one daughter and son-in-law – Patricia and Terry “Cub” Tyner of Limestone; three grandsons – Jason Maki, Dylan Tyner, and Blake Tyner; one granddaughter – Tori Tyner; two sisters – Evelyn Keskimaki of Gwinn and Shirley Gustafson of Negaunee; one brother – Howard Ylinen of Marquette; one sister-in-law – Arlene Ylinen of Ishpeming; fifteen nieces; sixteen nephews; one aunt in Finland; and several cousins. Ruth was preceded in death by a sister – Lillian Fosmoe; two brothers – Leslie and Floyd Ylinen; parents – John and Ellen Ylinen; mother and father-in-law – Peter and Ada Maki; six sisters-in-law – Eleanor Ylinen, Aretta Ylinen, Carol Maki, Bertha Germain, Sula Maki, and Augusta Brennan; five brothers-in-law – Arthur Keskimaki, Rowland Gustafson, Waino, John, and Matt Maki; a nephew – Bryan Ylinen; and her best friend – Eleanor Waananen.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 and also at the church on Tuesday from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. Pastor Paul Kelto will conduct Ruth’s funeral on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham and she will be escorted by Bob and Don Maki, Steve and Wayne Maki, Ron Maden, Cub Tyner, and her grandsons Jason, Dylan, and Blake.

Submitted by Char Livermore