Shirley Jean Maki

Funeral service for Shirley Maki will be at 11 a.m. Monday, November 10, 2025 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Palo with Pastor Jeanne Madsen officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Rauha Cemetery in Palo. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Memorials are kindly preferred in lieu of flowers.

Shirley Jean Maki, 95, of Palo died Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Essentia Health-Northern Pines in Aurora. She was born on November 5, 1929 to Edward and Jennie (Steckman) Leppanen in Eveleth. Shirley grew up in Genoa Location and attended Eveleth High School, graduating with the Class of 1947. Following high school, she worked several jobs including at Martha’s Market in Eveleth and as a waitress, housekeeper and nanny.

Shirley was united in marriage to Lauri Maki on October 9, 1948. The couple made their home in Palo. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her greatest joy in life was her entire family, whom she would send on their way with, “Watch for deer!” [Translation: “I love you!”]

Shirley was well known for the beautiful cakes she created for many community occasions, as well as personal celebrations including weddings within the Palo community and beyond. She enjoyed Word Search and jigsaw puzzles, playing cards and games (especially Triominos) and bowling.

Shirley and Lauri tent camped with their children for many years, both near and far, eventually trading in tents for motorhomes as they continued to travel on their own, including trips to Finland.

Shirley was extremely proud of her Finnish heritage, and she certainly embodied “Sisu,” the Finnish term meaning perseverance, tenacity, grit and spunk. She was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church Women and the Ladies of Kaleva.

Survivors include children: Barbara Lucia of Duluth, Carolyn (Gary) Lawyer of Biwabik, Kathleen (Gary) Kangas of Hibbing, Calvin (Connie) Maki of Hutchinson, Pamela (Jeff) Kuschner of Hermantown and Gregory Maki of Hibbing; grandchildren: Melanie (Ryan), Melissa (Nate), Mandy, Dave (Julia), Marc, Becky (Aaron), Eric, Alex (Jace), Mike (Dani) and Tyler; great-grandchildren: David, Brennan, Evan, Daniel, Derek, Kyra, Joseph, Brady, Clark, Daphne, Kruse and Bridger; siblings: Darlene (Mark) Jackson and Bill (Doris Johnson) Leppanen; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lauri; siblings: Vickie Klakoski, Loretta Briski and David Leppanen; son-in-law, Steve Lucia and her parents.

Her family expresses their deep gratitude and thanks to the staff at Carefree Living of Aurora, Essentia Health-Northern Pines Care Center, Clinic and Hospital and East Range Hospice Care Team, as well as Dr. Whiting, for their dedicated care of Mom.