Obituary of Emil Vincent Makinen

It is with great sadness we share the news that Emili Makinen, our dear husband, father, and grandfather passed away on December 18th at the age of 84, at MorningStar Senior Living of Boise, after declining health from chronic heart failure. 

Emil was born on March 29, 1939, to John Henry and Jennie Waldena (Jonas) Makinen on his parents’ farm in Green Valley Township/Becker County Minnesota, the sixth of six children.  He graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1957.  Emil met his future wife, Jean Jarvimaki, at Menahga High School and they were married on May 6, 1961, after Emil’s graduation from Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis as an electrician.  In July 1962 Emil was drafted into the Army and served until June 1964 mostly in Seoul, South Korea.  

The family resided in Roseville, Minnesota.  Then in 1966 and 1969 they had two sons: Delon James and Gregory Scott, before moving to Eagle, Idaho in 1970, where they built a log house facing the mountains.  Some years, due to lack of electrical work in Boise, Emil would travel to different states to provide for his family.  

Jean and Emil sold their hobby farm in Eagle in 1994 and moved to Boise where they resided until July 2022 when they moved into Assisted Living at MorningStar.   

The family attended Trinity Evangelical Free Church, where Emil became a member and was part of the music team, sharing his love of the harmonica and accordion.  He and Jean were also part of the Scandinavian Society.  Proud of his Finnish heritage, Emil and his wife would attend Finnfest, a national annual festival held in different states. Emil and Jean were also fortunate to be able to travel to Finland to visit relatives and see their homeland.

Emil is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Jean; devoted sons, Delon (Shannon) and Greg; granddaughter Sierra (Kennan) Adams; grandsons Jourden and Tayler; sisters-in-law Karen Jonas and Ann Jarvimaki; cousins, nieces, and nephews; and many friends.  Predeceasing Emil are his parents; brothers: Nestor (Gladys) and Edwin; sisters: Ellen (Edward) Honga, Jennie (Rudy) Haataja; and Martha (Clinton) Younker; in-laws, Adolph and Helen Jarvimaki; and brother-in-law, Jim Jarvimaki.

The family wishes to thank the staff at MorningStar and the Hospice team that provided support during the last weeks of Emil’s life.

Emil’s funeral will be held at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Boise, Idaho on Friday January 5^th with a viewing starting at 9:00 AM, with the service beginning at 9:30 AM.  Burial will follow at 11:00 AM at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery.