Roger N. Maki

L'Anse Roger N. Maki, 86, a resident of L'Anse and former Atlantic Mine resident passed away Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, following a short illness.
He was born on July 31, 1938, in Atlantic Mine, MI, a son of the late Ilmar (Tassy) and Florence (Nelson) Maki. Roger was raised in Atlantic Mine and was a graduate of Jeffers High School.
Roger was a veteran having served with the United States Army. He was deployed with the First Armored Division during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
On March 3, 1962, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Pamela Laitinen. The couple resided in Ft. Hood, TX while Roger was in the service. It was in Ft. Hood that they met their lifelong best friends, Bill and Fern Misuraca. Following Roger's honorable discharge from the Army, they lived in several places including Hancock, MI, Racine, WI, Marquette, MI and Negaunee, MI. He worked several jobs including working at a Malted Milk factory, a janitor, and he even had the joy of working with his brother Burton as a tiler. When they finally returned to Atlantic Mine to make their home, Roger worked as a foreman at Northern Hardwoods before retiring as a Safety Engineer with the White Pine Copper Mine, where he started his "Near Miss Safety Program". For the past five years, the couple had made their home in L'Anse, MI.
Roger was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Atlantic Mine and the American Legion Post 0144 of L'Anse. He was always an active person that enjoyed being outdoors, fishing on the lake, stream or even ice fishing. He enjoyed all sports playing softball, horseshoes, bowling, & golfing to name a few. Hockey was one of his true loves playing from a young boy and being able to play for the Green Bay Bobcats and was proud to have been invited to the Detroit Red Wing training camp. As he was older, he continued playing with the old-timer's leagues and helped coach with the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association. Roger had many lifetime friends in the Copper Country that he enjoyed spending time with. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, kids, grandkids and his siblings. We will always remember his great sense of humor, his great dance moves, his stories and his dedication to family. He was a quiet presence, our calm in the storm.
Preceding him in death were his beloved grandchildren: Hunter Taavola and Morgan Maki; his parents, his brothers: Burton, Arlen "Sonny" and Clyde Maki; his father-in-law: Wilho Laitinen; his brothers-in-law: Del Harma and Vernon Laitinen; and his sisters-in-law: Carolyn Maki and Della Laitinen.
Surviving are:His wife: Pamela Maki; His children: Laura (Chris) Harry, Jeffrey (Dina) Maki, Kristine Bock, Wendy (Lee) Taavola; His grandchildren: Christopher Harry, Jr., Danielle (Billy) Kilpela, Jory (Alyson) Wright, Elizabeth (Josh Tobison) Wright, Makenna Taavola, Jakob Maki, Ava Taavola; His great-grandchildren: Holden, Sawyer, Elias and Aletta Harry; His sisters: Beverley Harma, & Barbara Krumm; His brother: Bruce (Sandy) Maki; His sister-in-law: Sharon Maki; Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service for Roger will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt. View Chapel of South Range with Rev. Kelly Ylitalo to officiate. Military Honors will be conducted by the Copper Country Veteran's Association.
Friends may call on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 1:00 pm until time of services at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt. View Chapel of South Range.
To view Roger's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service - Mt. View Chapel of South Range is assisting the family with the arrangements.