Rita Maki Obituary

Our beloved mother, Rita Theresa (nee Violetta) Maki, joined our Lord Jesus in heaven on December 14, 2024, after a brief illness. Rita was just 9 days shy of her 101st birthday. Born and raised in Negaunee, MI, Rita was a graduate of St. Paul Catholic High School, class of 1940. She went on to complete a 9 month Business course in Green Bay, after which she returned to Negaunee, and then moved to Marquette to work as a secretary; this 5-year period of her life was special to her as she had a lot of fun being an independent working woman and going out with her group of girlfriends! Rita then moved to Washington State to marry her Negaunee sweetheart, Arthur T. Maki, who was employed there in the timber industry. The rest of her years were spent in the Pacific Northwest, moving between Washington and Oregon, as Art's job required, and always making a loving home for her husband and children. Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Art, who passed away in 1992; her father and mother, Frank and Margaret (nee Giugler) Violetta, of Negaunee; and her sister Jane (John) Valente, of Rockford, IL. Rita is survived by some dear friends, and her four loving children and their families: son Rand Maki; daughter Andrea Erwin, Andrea's son Kyle (Maka) Erwin and their daughter Josie; daughter Theora (Walter) Meyer and their two daughters, Ellie (Mike) Baird, and Stefanie (Kit) Reisch; and daughter Lisa (Rick) Hudson and their two daughters, Hannah Hudson (Tristan Walks), and Sarah (Griffen) Marler. Mom had a twinkle in her eye and a good sense of humor, and was known for being an avid reader, a good cook, and a whiz at crossword puzzles. In her younger years she enjoyed bowling, golf and playing bridge. We will always love, miss and appreciate you mom!