John Edward Maki was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 29, 1933 in Esko, where he lived his whole life. He passed away on May 25, 2021 at age 87.

John graduated from Esko High School in 1952 and went to work for Western Electric-/TT, retiring in the late 80s. He was retired for longer than he worked, which he thought impressive. John enjoyed his small family and his large circle of friends. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and dog sitting for his friends and family. He enjoyed playing cards, gardening, lawn mowing in the summer and snow blowing in the winter, reading lots of newspapers, and watching “Gunsmoke” and anything on public television. In his later years, he enjoyed winters in Miami Beach sitting by the pool under a palm tree watching life pass by.

John was a putzer, and there wasn’t much he couldn’t fix. He was a man of few words (at least when sitting next to his very talkative wife), but he had a very good sense of humor and loved to laugh. John will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Florence Lindquist Maki; three sons, Jim (German) Maki of New York City, Perry of Columbus, Ohio, and Robbie (Mayumi) of Omura, Japan; and three grandchildren, Jessie, Kent, and Leif.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ina Maki; and his two brothers, Leroy and Paul.

Visitation: 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service Friday, May 28 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Esko. Lunch will follow immediately in the Family Life Center. Burial will be held in the church cemetery. Memorials preferred to St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 4 Elizabeth Ave., Esko MN 55733, or Channel 8 Public Television, WDSE-WRPT, 632 Niagara Court, Duluth MN 55811. To leave an online condolence, visit http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.