Lloyd Edward Makela

Here begins the silence where your voice once lived: Lloyd E. Makela died peacefully in his sleep on May 18, 2025 at the age of 88.
Lloyd was born June 11, 1936 in Duluth, Minnesota to Otto & Aili (Jacobson) Makela, the oldest of 3 boys. Growing up on a farm in the Town of Oulu, outside of Iron River, Wisconsin, he and his brothers had many wonderful adventures and experiences which were passed on to his children on their frequent visits to the farm.
He was a proud 1953 graduate of South Shore High School in Port Wing, Wisconsin, where he played football, basketball and baseball. After High School, he earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, graduating in 1959 and becoming a lifelong Badger fan. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree.
After college, he moved to Munising, Michigan to take his first professional job at the Kimberly-Clark paper mill. While working there, he met the love of his life, Jane Shepley, who was working at the mill as a secretary. They were wed on August 18, 1962, in Trenary, Michigan and were married for 62 years.
In 1963, they moved to Appleton, Wisconsin when he took a job at the American Can paper mill in Neenah. In 1965 they moved again, to Mosinee, Wisconsin when he took a job at Mosinee Paper Mills. He would stay at Mosinee Paper for 28 years, retiring in 1993 at age 57 as the Vice President of Technical/Quality Assurance.
In Mosinee, Lloyd was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Lions Club. He served for several years as the Treasurer on the Mosinee School Board. He also participated in TAPPI, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, serving as its Lake States chapter president.
After retirement, Lloyd & Jane moved to The Villages, Florida where they either played tennis or golf virtually every day and enjoyed the warmth after spending their entire life to that point in either Wisconsin or the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In 2011, they moved back to Weston, Wisconsin to be closer to their grandchildren.
Lloyd was proud of his Finnish heritage and enjoyed sharing some of his favorite Finnish dishes with his family. He was happiest taking his family on many fishing and camping trips from the U.P. to Yellowstone. Lloyd was the family Scrabble champion and always did his crossword puzzles in pen. He also enjoyed playing cards with Jane and friends. Later in life, his favorite thing to do was watch his grandchildren's activities. He will be missed by many.
Lloyd is survived by his wife Jane of Weston, children Ken (Paula) Makela of Mosinee, Mike Makela of Madison and Kari White of Leesburg, Florida. Five grandchildren: Nicholas White of Wausau, Aili Makela (Isaac Clemons) of Arlington, Virginia, Eric Makela of Mosinee, Alexandra Mulholland and Ashley Mulholland, both of Leesburg, Florida. Brother Gerald (Carole) Makela of Fort Collins, Colorado, sister-in-law Sharon Makela of Superior, Wisconsin, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto & Aili and his brother Ronnie.
The family would like to thank the staff at Rennes Health & Rehab Center Weston and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their dedicated care of Lloyd during his final days.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at St. Mark Catholic Church, 602 Military Road, Rothschild. Father Albert will officiate. Visitation will take place from 10:00 am until the time of services at the church.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is currently assisting the family. Online condolences can be expressed at HonorOne.com.