Melia Oneida Alto Maki (Nukala)

Melia Maki, 95, former longtime resident of Alango Township died Monday, December 11, 2006, at the North Ridge Care Center in New Hope, Minnesota.

She was born in Alango Township on June 19, 1911, the daughter of Nels and Sandra (Harju) Nukala. She grew up in Alango Township, where she lived for 88 years. She raised her children on her own after the untimely death of her first husband John Alto in 1939. After her children were grown, she was blessed to find another special man, and she married Toivo Maki on July 2, 1956 in Cook. Melia’s father was a charter member of the Finnish Lutheran Church in Alango, which became the present St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She was a member there growing up and belonged to its church choir in the 1920’s. She was a current longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Cook. Melia was a devoted wife and mother, and cherished her family, especially her grandchildren. She and Toivo’s passion was helping to take care of others in need. Her family reverently remembers her quoting ”God put us on this earth to help others”, and they put that belief into practice. Melia enjoyed berry picking and her family fondly recalls her as “making the best jam in the world”, of which she gave as Christmas gifts for years. She also liked gardening and playing Scrabble and Uno with family. She had been residing at the North Ridge Care Center in New Hope the past 8 years.

She is survived by two sons, Ronald (Jean) Alto of Clermont, Fl., Erland (Joyce) Alto of Nevis, MN., a step-son, Donald (Faye) Rautio of Florida; a daughter Nancy (Elof) Olson of Grantsburg, Wis., twenty Grandchildren, along with great and great-great Grandchildren.

Melia is preceded in death by her first husband, John Alto in 1939; her second husband Toivo Maki in 1977; one son, Arnold Alto in 1980; a grandson, Nathan Alto in 1997; five brothers, Leslie in 1941, Ernest in 1949, Wilho in 1965, Charlie in 1986, and Wilmer in 1986; two sisters, Nelmi Koivu in 2002, and Ellen Nukala who died in infancy in 1905.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday at the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Brenda Tibbetts, AiM (Associate in Ministry), will be the officiant. Jeremiah Alto, Melia’s great grandson will be the soloist and Doreen Olson, the pianist. Casket bearers and honorary bearers will be Melia’s Grandsons. Interment will be in the Alango Township Cemetery.