Marjorie Janet Maki (nee Mohr), 90, of Grand Marais, MI, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her daughter's house in Chicago on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2009. Marjorie was born in Wheeling, Illinois on March 27, 1919 to the late Henry Claus and Estelle (Stellman) Mohr. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Evelyn Mohr, Llewellyn Utpadel, Winnifred Waterstrat, and survived by her sister Elaine Gould.
Marjorie was married to the late John William Maki, of Grand Marais, Michigan, on October 8, 1955. She leaves behind two surviving daughters, Mary Lou (Alan Zech) and Lois (Michael Planthaber); seven grandchildren, Rodney, Allison, Krista, Michael, Jori, Olivia, and Juline, and the fond great-grandmother of Corey, Charlie, and Benjamin. Marge graduated from Walther Memorial School of Nursing, and shortly thereafter, joined the United States Navy. As a Navy nurse, she was stationed in Fairbanks, Idaho, and later transferred to Honolulu, Hawaii during World War II. After receiving her honorable discharge as a Lieutenant Navy Nurse, she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and continued her nursing career. Marge moved back to Chicago and on a New Year's Eve evening, she met her future husband, John Maki. The two shared a common interest, Grand Marais, Michigan, as Marge had family, and John was raised there.
Upon marrying John, Marge became a mother to Mary Lou, and later, Lois was born. Marge and John lived in Chicago, but travelled yearly up to Grand Marais, where they had purchased their home from John's brother Hugo. Here, they spend their summers, and in 1980, retired in Grand Marias. During the winter, they travelled south to their daughters' homes, and spent the holidays with the grandchildren. After the holidays were over, Marge would drive to Denver, Colorado to visit her sisters, and had continued to do so, until a few years ago.
Marjorie was member of the VFW. Her faith in God was strong, and she was an active member of the First Lutheran Church of Grand Marais, serving as a board member. At her home, her door was always open for those who needed medicinal assistance or neighborly advice. Visitation and funeral services will be held at the First Lutheran Church in Grand Marais on Saturday, December 5, 2009. Services will be conducted by Jon and Sharon Babbitt at 1:00 p.m. with visitation from noon until the service. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery where the Alger County Veterans Council will conduct military honors.