Edwin O. Makinen

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Christ Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake, MN with a visitation one hour prior to services. VISITATION : 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN INTERMENT : SURVIVORS : EDWIN OSWALD MAKINEN January 11, 1927 " September 29, 2013 Edwin Oswald Makinen, age 86, a life long resident of the Park Rapids, MN area, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2013 at the Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. Edwin was born to Henry and Waldena (Jonas) Makinen on January 11, 1927 on the family farm in Green Valley Twp. of Becker County, MN. It was in this same area that he lived out his entire life southwest of Park Rapids. He attended the nearby District #56 one room school house for eight years and received his public school elementary diploma on June 26, 1942. He was one of two students to graduate from the District #56 school that year. He went on to attend one year of high school in Park Rapids. Edwin and his siblings often walked one mile to school even during the cold winters. As a young man, Edwin enjoyed the great outdoors of MN and was often found hunting, trapping and fishing. He also enjoyed traveling, and made several trips with his siblings. On June 11, 1966, Edwin was united in marriage to Karen I. Schwartz of rural Menahga. They were blessed with three sons: Erwin, Kenneth and Wayne and one daughter, Amanda. The young couple took over the family farm from Edwin"s father in the mid 1970"s. They continued to farm while they raised their family. Edwin enjoyed working the family farm his entire life. He raised a fine herd of Holstein dairy cattle and tended to the crops to feed his livestock and family. He often raised enough potatoes to last the entire year. Edwin served on the Green Valley Township Board and for 49 years as a State Fire Warden. He retired at the age of 70. Edwin loved taking his family fishing, visiting relatives, traveling in the Western states and attending picnics and other family gatherings. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Wolf Lake since 1981. Edwin will be lovingly remembered by his precious wife, Karen; his four children: Erwin Makinen of Ponsford, MN, Kenneth Makinen of Park Rapids, MN, Amanda (Melvin) Farlee of Park Rapids, MN and Wayne (Philomena) Makinen of Richlands, NC; his four beloved grandchildren: Michelle Farlee, Shania Farlee, Felix Makinen and Felicity Makinen; his brother, Emil (Jean) Makinen of Boise, ID and his sister, Jennie Haataja of Minneapolis, MN as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Ellen Honga and Martha Younker and a brother, Nestor Makinen. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Christ Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake, MN with the Reverend John Ramsbacher officiating. The organist will be Paul Ramsey. Casket bearers will be his sons: Erwin Makinen, Kenneth Makinen and Wayne Makinen and nephews: Gerald Makinen, Lyle Schwartz and Tim Haataja. Honorary casket bearers will be his grandchildren: Michelle Farlee, Shania Farlee, Felix Makinen and Felicity Makinen. Interment will be made in the Balmi Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. A luncheon will be provided for all following the service.