Irene Viena (Maki) Atwood, 97, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton, Minnesota.

Irene was born January 29, 1917 in Carlton County, Minnesota to William and Ida (Saukko) Maki. So small when she was born that she was wrapped in a blanket and kept warm laying on the open door of the wood burning oven. When she was born she was the first daughter but third in line following her two brothers Arnold and Arvo. When Irene was about one year old the family packed up their belongings and set out for a house at Eagle Lake in Cromwell, MN. After a short time at Eagle Lake, her parents purchased a farm and 80 acres on County Road 123 which is still in the Maki family and owned by their last surviving son, Art.

Irene, being the oldest girl of fourteen children, was given many responsibilities and needed to quit school in the eighth grade, at about thirteen years old, to stay home and help her mother. Irene enjoyed school and did not want to quit but knew that her mother needed the help. Up to that time, Irene would rest her lessons against the wall to study while she was doing the dishes. When the sun went down, it was time to turn down the lamps; her father did not want her to keep the kerosene lamps burning, that being wasteful, so she didn’t have time to complete her homework anyway.

When Irene was about nineteen years old she left home to work in Cloquet as a nanny and care for children. When she was in her early twenties she took a bus to New York City and walked from mansion to mansion looking for employment. Irene was hired by a family on Long Island, a very wealthy family, where she was an assistant to the main cook of the house. All the staff members represented different countries. Irene and the cook represented Finland. There was a chauffeur who, on Irene’s day off, would drive her to the subway station where she was able to explore the city. One time, coming up from the subway and finding herself in Harlem a policeman approached her and told her to turn around, get back on the subway as she did not belong in that part of town. Irene enjoyed the adventure of New York and enjoyed working for this family. The cook was excellent and trained Irene in the details of serving delicious and well-presented meals. Her baking skills flourished. Irene has, always, decorated her tables with centerpieces for each holiday. Over the years she has canned fruits and vegetables grown in her own gardens. Her jams and pickles, especially, were hits to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Irene found a position as a cook at a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) logging camp after returning to Minnesota.

After several years of pursuing, Ray convinced Irene to marry him. They were married August 31, 1941 in the Presbyterian Church in Cloquet. Her sister, Lila and brother-in-law, Harry Blake were their witnesses.

After Ray was honorably discharged from the service, they returned to Cloquet for a few years before they decided to move to California. In San Diego, California they opened up “Atwood Used Cars”.

They moved back to Minnesota and lived in Duluth during the late 1940’s, the Pike Lake area from approximately 1950 through 1974, and at their farm in Cromwell until 2001. Ray died in 1983, but Irene continued to live at the farm until she decided to move to Carlton and live at the Pine View Apartments in 2001. She later, in 2011, moved across the street to Inter-Faith Care Center for the remainder of her life.

Irene was a member of several Homemakers Clubs, Young Old Timers, Pike Lake Presbyterian Church, Cromwell Bethany Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed volunteering at the Inter-Faith Care Center for more than ten years. She loved participating in surrounding town parades and going to weekly community dances! Irene loved traveling around the United States especially to California, Colorado, Washington, Florida, Wisconsin, Nevada, Louisiana, Kentucky and Hawaii. She took several trips to Finland to visit her mother and father’s relations sometimes traveling with her daughter, Idell or brother, Wayno or traveling there with friends. She enjoyed her time working at the front Target Bakery counter in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Her home was always open to friends and relatives and she could put a several course dinner on the table at a moment’s notice.

Irene was a most loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and friend; she will always be best remembered by her distinctive white hair, beautiful smile and cheerful greeting. Irene was a very special lady and was loved by many. She enjoyed visiting with her family and friends. She accepted the praise for her cooking and baking skills with pride and humility.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Howard Atwood; and eleven siblings, Leonard, Arnold, Arvo, Lila, Tauno, Wayno, John, Elna, Sylvia, Irja, and Hilda.

She is survived by her sons, Gary (Sandra) Atwood and Galen (Debi) Atwood; daughter, Idell (Robert) Henderson; grandchildren, Stacy (Richard) Theobald, Brent Atwood, Bryan (Ellen) Atwood, Angela (Paul) Heinrich, Jeffrey (Breanna) Henderson, and Jenna Henderson; great-grandchildren, Brittney, Erik, Nickolas, Hailey and Avett; brother, Art Maki; sister, Ilene (George) Basquez; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Burial will be in the spring in Eagle Lake Cemetery, Eagle Township.