Eino E. Maki

On October 10, 2025, Eino E. Maki, a devoted family man and mentor to many, passed away in Menomonie, WI.

Eino was born the youngest of six boys to immigrant parents, the late Toivo and Helmi (Mattinen) Maki, on May 2, 1936, in Ironwood, MI. Eino grew up speaking Finnish at home, playing ball with his brothers in the fields around Norrie and watching over his many nieces and nephews.

Eino went on to raise six kids of his own, spending all of his free time with them, his wife of 63 years, Jeanne (Martinetti), and later his grandkids. Eino appreciated the simpler things in life: a good steak, a ball game, a hot sauna. He enjoyed a cocktail before Sunday dinner, a lively game of cards at the cabin, a circuitous argument over a glass of wine. He took pride in planting trees and taking care of the yard, crafting birdhouses, suntanning at the lake, and kidding around with anyone he met.

Eino was an intellect and a teacher at heart, settling in Menomonie, WI, as a professor and the Director of the Applied Mathematics Program at UW-Stout. He was ahead of his time, creating a beginning Math class media broadcast for the University, called "Maki Math", in the 1960s. He then built the Applied Mathematics program into a polytechnic program that launched young men and women into highly sought-after technical careers. Eino was tireless: orchestrating Math Bowls and Conferences for student recruitment; tailoring the Applied Math program and class syllabi to meet specific business needs; developing a strong network of internships and job opportunities; encouraging students through personal advisement, annual Christmas Letters and "Dog and Suds" parties. Eino fundamentally believed that a good education (no cookie-cutter classes) and a strong work ethic could get you anywhere.

Eino was a quiet, humble man and a man of faith (attending Peace Lutheran Church). He never liked talking on the phone, but he loved socializing in person with family and friends. Eino never boasted of his academic or professional successes, but he was extremely proud of his students and all of their accomplishments.

Eino embodied "Sisu". He was beyond stubborn (in a good way), with guts and determination to help others and make the world a better place. A lifetime of fond memories remain with his wife, Jeanne, and his kids, John Maki (Eva), Paul Maki (Renee), Marja Phipps (Bob), Jim Maki (Paula), Erik Maki, and Liisa Gilbert (Andrew). We pray that his grandkids: Andrew Maki; Dylan, Rachelle, Marissa Maki; Eila, Mak Phipps; Ele Maki; Sydney (James), Chloe, Abby Maki; Lukas, Ailsa, Anja, Lonne Gilbert; and his great-granddaughter, Tessa Quigley Maki, carry on his legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Eino Maki Endowed Scholarship. (To contribute, please visit the UW-Stout giving page at Support UW-Stout | University of Wisconsin - Stout, select 'I want to support Other' under 'Make A Gift,' and enter "Eino Maki Scholarship" in the comment box.)

A Celebration of Life for Eino will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Town of Dunn Hall, N2713 State Road 25, Menomonie, WI 54751.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com