Donna J. (Longaker) Maki

Donna Jean Maki of Anoka, formerly of Glenwood and Cambridge, MN, passed away on March 16, 2025.

Donna was born on January 11, 1931, in Alexandria, MN to Harry and Florence Longaker of Glenwood, MN, owners of the Glenwood Movie Theatre.  Donna was the eldest of three sisters.  She spent her youth enjoying summers at Lake Minnewaska and helping at the concession stand of the family’s movie theater.  She loved watching all the films that came to town.

In 1948, Donna graduated from Glenwood High School and went on to attend St. Cloud State College where she earned her teaching degree.  Her third teaching position in 1955 was teaching spring Kindergarten in Barnum, MN.  It was in the principal’s office on her first day of teaching where Donna met Jack Maki. Donna and Jack were married on July 3, 1955, in Glenwood, MN.

They honeymooned at the Maki Cabin on Lake 14 in Britt, MN.  The cabin later became theirs, and they spent many summers there, hosting an annual family reunion every 4th of July.

In July 1956, they moved to Cambridge, MN, where Jack accepted a position as the 9th-grade science teacher.  Their son, Jeffrey Allan, was born in September 1956, the second birth in the new Cambridge hospital.

The Maki family grew with the addition of their daughter, Kristine Maria, in June 1965.

Donna continued her teaching career as the kindergarten teacher in Isanti from 1963-1965. Afterward, she was a substitute teacher from 1971-1983, filling both short and long-term vacancies.  Later, Donna served as a Title 1 Para- Professional in Isanti from 1983-1998.  She found great joy in helping students learn to read and hearing them say “ NOW I GET IT.”

Donna and Jack were active members of the Cambridge community.  Donna joined the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #190 in 1958 through Jack’s eligibility (U. S. Navy).  She was involved with the Girls’ State Scholarship and Americanism Committee and served as Unit President in 1975.  The Auxiliary family was a significant part of Donna and Jack’s life, including attending conventions, honoring veterans on Memorial Day, raising money for scholarships and veterans’ needs, and providing a legacy of “Service, not Self.”

Donna also founded the Cambridge Homemaker’s Club, which continued for over 30 years.  The group held monthly meetings at members’ homes, with coffee and dessert, and organized trips to the General Mills test kitchen and Lee Ann Chin’s original restaurant.

Donna was a fantastic cook, she enjoyed preparing and sharing nutritious meals with family and friends.  She also enjoyed sewing, and making clothes for her family.  She was a devoted soap opera fan and an avid genealogy researcher, building her family tree back to the 1600s.

Donna loved to travel and often planned trips with her two sisters.  She and Jack attended over 20 Navy reunions and dedication of the WWII Memorial in Washington DC.  They enjoyed several cruises, a trip to Alaska, and a month- long tour of Russia, Sweden, and visits to extended family in Norway and Finland.

Donna is survived by her sisters, Mary Boyle and Margaret Claeson of Glenwood, MN; her son Jeffrey(Kelly) of Lake 14, MN; her daughter, Kristine Maki-Olson (Michael) of Coon Rapids, MN; her grandchildren, Matthew Olson of Chicago, IL, USAF Major Patrick ( Katy) Olson of Omaha, NE, US Army Captain Katrina (Matthew) Primmer of Seattle, WA, Allison(Zak) Woullet of Chisholm, MN, and Taylor(Sam) Utterberg of Brooklyn Park, MN;  and her great-grandchildren, Cameron and John Olson, Finnley and Rowan Woullet, and Henrik and Kasper Utterberg.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband Jack in 2018.

Memorial service will be held at 11 AM Friday, April 4 at Cambridge Lutheran Church 621 Old North Main St. Cambridge, MN.

Friends may gather 1 hour prior to service at the church.

Private interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery

Memorials preferred to ci-dollarsforscholars.org.  Donations can be made on the website or via text by texting “CIDFS’ TO 44-321

Arrangements by Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home 763-689-2244

Online condolences can be shared at www.carlsonlillemoen.com

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