Iris Jean Maki

Iris was born April 10, 1937 to Ira and Dorothy (Thorbahn) Zimmel.

Iris was raised in Gladstone and attended Gladstone High School, graduating in 1955.

On March 1, 1958 she married William Maki and they had five children.

She began her employment after high school at the Red Owl Grocery Store in Gladstone. She also worked at Jim’s One Stop and in 1980 she began at OSF in housekeeping retiring in 1995.

Iris loved to read; she enjoyed doing word search puzzle books, playing board games and trips to the casino with Terry, good movies — Gone with the Wind and Somewhere in Time being two her of favorites. She liked to travel, taking weekend trips in the motorhome, and often talked of the trip to Mississippi with her sister Linda. Iris was happiest when she was with her family, her children, and grandchildren. They were her joy.

Iris is survived by her children, Tammy (Jerry) Hanson, Terry (Roger) VanDrese, Bill Maki, Susan (Mark) Bricker, Jim Maki; grandkids (her darlings), Scott (Shannon) Maki, Jacob (Dana) Maki, Rachelle (Lucus) Eichorn, Dustin (Serena) Maki, Jaimee Maki, Matt (Lexi Wright) Maki, Chris Maki; greats, Ben, Erin, Charlie, Cedar, Evie, Pasley; her sister, Linda Zimmel Creel; nieces, nephews, cousins, and her Village family, especially Ellen Steinoff and Ellen’s family.

Iris was preceded in death by her parents, brother Karl Zimmel, daughter-in-law Valerie Maki, special friend of 27 years Jack, nephew Jeff Pepin, and her furbaby cat, Rugrat.

Private graveside services will be held in the spring, with a celebration of her life to follow.

Iris’s family would like to thank the staff at Christian Park Village, UP Health System Hospice and Crawford Funeral Home for the exceptional care she received. Messages of condolence can be directed to the family at www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.