Memorial services were held for Paul Maki, age 74 of New York Mills, on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Karvonen Funeral Home in Wadena, with Pastor Kevin Gregory officiating. Paul will be laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery, rural New York Mills. 

Paul Edward Maki was born on April 9, 1946 in Wadena.  His parents were the late Uno August and Florence Edla (Ojala) Maki. 

Paul graduated from New York Mills High School with the class of 1964. After graduation he attended Fergus Falls Community College, then Bemidji State College and received and Associates Degree in Accounting.  Paul made his home in St. Paul, Minn., where he was employed with Burlington Northern Railroad and then International Harvester as a payroll clerk. 

On August 25, 1979 Paul was united in marriage to Suzanne Thrasher at the United Methodist Church in Wadena.  They made their home in St. Anthony, Minn., as their marriage was blessed with three children. 

Paul was employed with Pillsbury in St. Paul, Minn., as a security guard and later moved to Wadena in 1985.  Paul was employed with Tuffy’s in Perham until 1991 and then with Lund Boats in New York Mills and the Mid-State Auto Auction.   Slowing down due to health reasons in 2015 Paul enjoyed part time employment at ITOW in Perham. 

On December 15, 2020 Paul passed away at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, N.D., at 74 years of age.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  Preceding Paul in death were his parents, Uno and Florence;  an infant brother, David; and an uncle, Edward Ojala. 

Paul is survived by his daughters: Jessie Thrasher of Bertha, Minn.; Heather Maki of Brainerd, Minn.; and Sheri (Steve) Schmitz of Verndale; 8 grandchildren: Aaron, Anniah, Jack, Emily, Ben, Madison, Connor and Shawn; great-granddaughter, Ellie; brother, Cliff Maki of Phoenix, Ariz.; many other relatives and a host of friends. 

In Lieu of flowers Paul’s family would prefer memorials to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. 

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to send Paul’s family a message of comfort and support. 

Arrangements are provided by Karvonen Funeral and Cremation Services.