ROBERT M MAKI

Robert M. “Bob” (Chick) Maki 10/31/31 – 10/7/25

Robert Maki caught his last fish, shot his last partridge, picked his last raspberries, moved his last landscaping rocks, and saw his final sunset.

This husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend died in his Chapman Street home on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Bob was born in Winton, MN on October 31, 1931 to Lempi (Hill) and Toivo Maki. He was baptized on September 30, 1934 and confirmed on June 8, 1947 at First Lutheran Church, Ely.

Bob graduated from Ely Memorial High School with the class of 1949. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of MN, Duluth. He was drafted into the Army serving at Ft. Benning, GA. After two years in the Georgia heat, he vowed to never leave northern MN for any appreciable length of time again.

Bob married Joyce Kokal on March 27, 1954. After serving in the military, they returned, making Ely their lifelong home. He was a mining engineer for Reserve Mining, LTV mining, Cypress, and Cliffs’ mine in Babbitt.

Known as “Chick” by his many Ely friends, he spent much time enjoying the great outdoors hunting, fishing, portaging, moving rocks for both aesthetic and utilitarian purposes in the cabin landscaping, and building the family legacy cabin on his Fall Lake property. “The cabin” was built over a series of years, completed with hand tools and the use of a handyman encyclopedia set. A sauna, beach house, garage, and outdoor grilling pavilion followed.

He was active in Grace Lutheran Church serving as the treasurer and as a church council member for many years. In the last few years, he enjoyed the Wednesday morning men’s group at the HUB, run through Northwoods Partners.

Self-proclaimed PON (Patriarch of the North) he enjoyed his friends and family, regaling them with many stories of his adventures and a lifetime of wonderful experiences. He was a voracious reader, undertaking books on all topics imaginable that added to his multiple areas of interest. He shared his knowledge with many, including his talks about the life of Jack and Tchi-Ki-Wis Linklater and his Aunt Ellen Hanson’s part in the history of Winton and Isle Royale.

Bob loved his family, life itself, and the joy found in each day. He was often seen around town greeting all with a short story or quick memory. We will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Joyce, and grandson Karl Harkins.

Left to remember his life and anecdotes are his children Cheryl Anderson (Calvin), Charlene Harkins (Kenny), Robert Maki, and Tracy Maki (John Dybvig). Grandchildren: Andria LaFollette, Liisa Harkins, Siri Harkins, Matthew (Emily) Maki, Samantha (Mark) Buerkle, Evan Dybvig, and Leo Dybvig. Great-grandchildren: Tate and Jack Buerkle. Brother and life-long outdoors companion, Jim Maki. Additionally, many cousins and friends.

The family would like to thank Essentia Hospice for helping his final weeks be comfortable in his own home. His memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Ely, on Monday, October 20 at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow at 1 p.m. at the Grand Ely Lodge.

Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Northwoods Partners, Ely.

Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

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