Edna Marie (Croff) Maki

Our hearts are broken, but our mom had a long life and has reunited with the love of her life, Henry R. Maki on February 13, 2022. A graveside service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Big Willow Cemetery in Belt with a reception to follow in the ballroom at the Belt Performing Arts Center. Edna Croff Maki, 95, was born on September 12, 1926, the first child of Ilona (Gladys) Luoma Croff and James William Croff, Jr. in Belt, MT. She was joined later by brother, Don and sister, Joyce. She lived her entire life in the Geyser, Raynesford, Stanford, and the Belt area. As a child of the Depression Era, she was very resourceful and learned at a very young age to care for livestock, ride, garden, cook, with the attitude of always giving your best. Those challenging times taught her to appreciate and cherish those moments with loved ones. Her early education started at the Lone Tree country school by Geyser, grade school years were completed by attending Geyser and Raynesford Schools, depending what farm they were on, or what relative she and her siblings would live with if their parents were working out of the area or snowed in. Her high school years were all at Belt Valley High graduating in 1946. She went on to earn her teaching certificate and was assigned the Nelson School in the Highwood Mountains area. She was the jack of all trades besides teaching and living in the teacherage. She had contact with several students through her life. Mom met Dad, the handsome cowboy back from WWII and ranching in the Highwoods through his younger brother, George at a dance in Belt. Dad would ride over the mountain or ski to see Mom at the school. The stars and moon aligned, and they married February 27, 1948, in Great Falls, followed by a lively dance at the Willow Bend School with locals providing the music. By 1957, five of the six children were born, and they moved from the Highwoods to a ranch between Belt and Raynesford. Life on Otter Creek was chaotic with now six kids, cousins, and many, many friends visiting constantly. When ranch work wasn’t on the agenda or school and extra curriculars, our rambunctious crew found ways to try and kill ourselves, due to fast cars, horses, motorcycles, airplanes, parachutes, rattlesnakes, or other adventurous stupidity. Mom continued to be the greatest mom and learned to choose her battles between the mud, animal hair, cow manure, breaks, and bruises. She was first cheerleader for her children and grandchildren’s academic and sports accomplishments. She was resilient through sons in the war, a dedicated caregiver to her son, death of family members, and still giving comfort and hope for some not as lucky. She had a soft heart and was notorious for bringing in strays, two and four legged. Recently she was asked what she missed most about her younger days, without hesitation, “Wearing high heels!” She and Dad would dance in the kitchen or at parties, she loved Elvis, Patsy Cline, Beach Boys, and Hank Williams Sr. Many card game nights with neighbors and friends filled the years, plus infinite pots of coffee. We will forever love her pies, potato salads, chokecherry syrup, Finn bread, and to die for cinnamon rolls. To this day we are still amazed how she could wear out a deck of cards playing solitaire! Crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, tending to her flowers, watching classic movies, and attending family celebrations filled her later years. She is survived by her children, Roger (Jan), Randy, Ray, Rebecca (Jeff) Maki-Loney, and Richard (Sharon) Maki; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jim)Watson, Rachel (Lance) Mostad, Erin (Kelly)Valdivia, Tracy Kellenberger (Shanon Jordan), Brandy (Mike) Moreta, Salone (Jordan) Loney Culbreath, Hillary Loney (Tyler Michalies), and Mariah Schwartz (Lance Storm); step-grandchildren, Kerri Asleson (James Harkins), Cristy (JT) Stengrimson, Evan (Jordy) Asleson, Jeff (Marissa Guerrero) Weis, Mike (Laura) Weis, John Weis, and Karl Kellenberger; son-in-law, Dean Rosen; best friends, sister Joyce Douglas and brother, Don Croff (Zelda); sister-in-law, Bobbin Maki; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends; and her fur babies, TomTom and Shadow. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; daughter, Ruth Elaine Rosen; grandsons, Ryan Chadwick and Roscoe Maki; and step-granddaughter, Cindy Asleson. We are so grateful for the kind words from so many friends and family, especially to our cousins; the Croff Girls, Cori McBride, Peggy Hill, Debbie Robinson, Jan Griffin, Sherrie Smith, and Donna Benbow for their love and dedication to her. Cremation has taken place with arrangements by O’Connor Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held in early summer. Rest in Peace, “The Queen of Otter Creek!!”