Milton Maki

1946 - 2025

Milton Maki

June 21, 1946 - September 29, 2025

Milton Roger Maki

Age 79, of Rice Lake, WI, died Monday, September 29, 2025 in Rice Lake.

He was born on June 21, 1946 in Virginia, MN to Swen and Gilka (Luzaich) Maki. Milton graduated from Hibbing High School in 1964; Hibbing Junior College in 1972; Mankato State in 1974, with a degree in Parks and Recreation; and Bemidji State in 2003 with a degree in Social Studies Education.

Milton served in the United States Navy from 1964-1968 with a total of 26 months of service in Vietnam. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 stars, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, and the The Conduct Medal. Milton married Debra K. Brustad and on December 19, 1970. They had two children, Melinda Dee and Adam Derek.

He started his government career with the State of MN DNR as one of the original developers of theTaconite Trail in MN. He joined the Federal Government in 1975, serving as a United States Customs/Border Patrol Officer 1975 to 1981, stationed in Pembina, ND and International Falls, MN. He served as a Special Agent with the Defense Investigative Service and the Defense Security Service from 1981 to 1984 and 1986 to 1996 with duty stations in Denver, Co, Duluth, MN and Bisbee, AZ. From 1984 to 1986 he served as an US Customs Inspector in Neche, ND. After retiring from the federal government in 1996, he went back to college and received his teaching degree and taught school in Philips, WI, Indus, MN, Warwick and White Shield, ND. After moving to Rice Lake, he continued to substitute teach in Rice Lake and Bruce.

After retiring, he kept busy with garage sales, auctions, any place he could find treasures to stock his booths at the Flea Market in Rice Lake. He also loved hunting pheasants and grouse, every year with his son, Adam, their friend Ken, and would make their yearly fall trip to North Dakota to hunt.

Milton is survived by his wife, Debra; daughter, Melinda (James) Franzel and their children, Kaylee and Lukas Franzel; and Adam (Dee) Maki and their daughters, Taylor and Taryn Maki; cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law and many friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Gilka and Swen Maki; 2 brothers, Rodney and Byron Maki.

Graveside Services and Military Rites will be held at 2PM Monday, October 13, 2025 at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI. Appleyard's Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI is assisting and serving the family with the arrangements.