Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 20, 2023 at the Christian Community Home in Osceola, WI.
Harry was born in Menagha, MN on May 19, 1933 to Arvid and Ida Maki.
Growing up in a Finnish speaking household, he didn’t learn English until he was five years old. As a big, strong guy he learned the value of hard work and helping family and relatives on the farm or the sawmill.
The family moved to Deer River, MN. where he graduated from High School.
He enjoyed playing basketball and football in high school and most important to him, he met the love of his life, Marlis Graham. Following high school, he served in the U.S. Army.
On July 10, 1954 Marlis and Harry were married. In 1959, they moved to Hudson. They were blessed with two sons, Jeff and Bob.
Harry wore many hats throughout his life that he was very proud of, such as working in the iron ore mines, driving semi and working at 3M for 28 years in Abrasives manufacturing. Harry could be described in Finnish as having a lot of Sisu, very humble and having a lot of perseverance. He loved spending time with family, especially his six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He and Marlis started a tradition of family vacations at Ottertail Lake, which continues to this day. He loved sports and especially watching his grandkids play soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and golf.
Harry and Marlis were longtime active members of the United Methodist Church in Hudson. Harry was very proud of volunteering to help at the Wednesday morning food shelf for 31 years.
In addition, he loved fitness, going to the YMCA and his favorite activity was riding his bicycle. He put thousands of miles on his bike riding across the country, in the MS150 for 15 years, and riding around the Hudson area. He kept a journal of all of his rides and miles ridden!
Harry remains in the hearts of his brother, Roy (Sandra); his sons, Jeff (Sonja) and Bob (Becky) Maki; grandchildren, Peter (Jennifer), Taylor (Nate Waters), Joanna, Sam (Michaela DeGross), Jack and Daniel; great-grandchildren, Abigail, Charlie Rose, and Tucker Waters and Palmer Maki; nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Marlis; his parents, Arvid and Ida Maki; and his sisters Marie Nordahl and Millie Jokela.
A visitation for Harry will be held Thursday, November 2, 2023 at O’Connell Family Funeral Home- Hudson, 520 S. Eleventh St., Hudson, WI 54016, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A memorial service will be held Friday, November 3, 2023 at Hudson Methodist Church, 1401 Laurel Ave., Hudson, WI 54016 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation an hour prior. Interment at Willow River Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Hudson United Methodist Church or the family.