Larry Lynn Maki

Larry Lynn Maki

Deer River, MN

April 26, 1954- February 7, 2025

Born the third son of four enthusiastic farm boys, Larry had no choice but to grow up fiercely, clever and strong-willed. He was quick to learn survival skills in a house with a love language of practical jokes and a “torment-or-be tormented” by your brothers atmosphere. As he grew, he was taught a deeply rooted appreciation for animals and nature and how to live off the land- whether it was hunting for food, growing it, tending to the farm, or learning the ins and outs of the excavating and logging businesses from his father.

With a gift of charm and a personality that could win over anyone, Larry excelled in school, was voted Class President, and found his passion out on the football field. He was born with the spirit of adventure in his bones and after graduating high school in 1972, he hopped on his motorcycle and headed up to Alaska with his cousin. Never one to shy from hard work, Larry worked at the cannery at the Whitney-Fidalgo Salmon Cannery for a few months.

When he returned home, he began working at Ray’s Sport & Cycle in Grand Rapids where he also began racing motorcycles and snowmobiles under their sponsorship, because sawing down trees with his dad just wasn’t quite dangerous enough all by itself. In 1974 the opportunity to go back up to Alaska came along again, and Larry went to work on the Alaskan Pipeline as a heavy equipment operator. He continued that work off and on for the next couple of years until he bought and settled with his first wife on his grandfather’s homestead property situated between Maki Lake, rolling fields, and some of the most beautiful northern woods of (Suomi) Deer River, Minnesota.

It was there he raised his three daughters (aka farmhands/dump truck co-pilots) and shared with them his love of nature. He taught them important lessons like navigating by the sun, predicting the next day’s weather, and how to properly clean a bucket full of smelt. As soon as they could walk, he had them strapped to the wall in the fish house or lined up along a creek bed with a spear or net in hand.

Larry was one of the hardest working men that kept work hours that revolved around the daylight. He played in the dirt by summer and logged with his brother in the winter. But Sundays were saved for family dinners and time at the cabin on Moose Lake. Larry never passed up an opportunity to waterski on a lake of glass, or an evening of good fishing. He was also known for throwing a legendary Corn Feed Party every Labor Day Weekend.

Always up for an experience, Larry had a passion for traveling and discovering new places- preferring road trips so he wouldn’t miss any of the countryside. Armed with a pistol and his camera for the real shooting, there wasn’t a place that was too far to drive- especially to capture the perfect picture. His house had an open-door policy where people were always coming and going. His friends and his family were everything to him and no one was a stranger- even if they had just met. He was the last to leave a party and would be the first to give the shirt off his back for anyone in need.

In 2002 Larry married his second wife, Denise Benson and moved into her home on Deer Lake where he could catch the perfect sunrise every morning. In his later years, you could find him taking the grandkids for a pontoon ride out on Deer Lake, probably with Bowling Alley Pizza in the back (Canadian Bacon and Sauerkraut), singing a song, or playing a tune on his harmonica around a bonfire.

On February 7th, Larry passed away in his daughter’s home, surrounded by loved ones, as Neil Diamond songs played in the background. His smile, love for life, and famous wise words will not be forgotten. “Be good. And if you can’t be good, be careful.”

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Wilho and Orvetta Maki, and brother, David Maki.

He is survived by his wife, Denise Benson; His daughters, Julia (Aaron) Pyrah, Elizabeth (Bryce) Lyytinen, and Kaye (Logan) Hawkins and brothers Duane (Marlys) Maki and Tim (Sheila) Maki. Also survived by grandchildren Claudia, Joseph, Cecelia, Jack, Grahm, Isabelle, Ellia, Theo and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be open to the public at Carroll Funeral Home on Monday, Feb 10, 2025 from 5pm-7pm.

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