Obituary
Makielski, Edward Leon 6/12/1927 - 9/2/2017 Ypsilanti, MI
Born in Ann Arbor to Leon and Anna (Schmitt). Ed proudly served in the Navy in WWII. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1951, and with his identical twin, Donald, started Makielski Brothers Berry Farm. He married the love of his life, Diane/Jerry (Gates) on August 16, 1952, after Don married the love of his life, Hildur (Sangren), on June 15. The couples farmed together until Don and Hildur moved to Ann Arbor in 1961.
The couples recently celebrated their 65th anniversaries and the twins' 90th birthday with a large gathering. The twins were lifelong best friends, never spending much time or distance apart. They often attended the Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, OH, where they consistently collected awards for most identical in their age group.
Ed and his son, Lee, loved old Dodge Power Wagon trucks. They traveled to Iowa yearly for the Vintage Power Wagon Rally to shop for parts, swap stories, see friends, and enjoy trail rides. Lee was a tremendous help to Ed and Diane in running the Makielski Berry Farm, and Lee's death in 2013 devastated their future plans for the farm. Surviving children are Michael (Cynthia), Carol (Chip Lake), and Rebecca Neckel.
Ed was diagnosed with cancer on Aug. 22. Two days later he was cheered by a special phone call. At age 23, Ed had rescued a boy, age 13, drowning in the Huron River. For decades, Ed wondered what happened to that boy. The granddaughter of the man, now 80 years old, called to say he'd had five kids and several grandkids, and without Ed's brave action, they wouldn't be here. The call was a wonderful reminder, coming at the end of Ed's life, of the difference a life can make. Ed's humor never failed. He joked with hospital staff the evening before he peacefully passed. His beloved Diane was by his side.
An informal Celebration of Life will take place Sunday, October 15 at 1 PM at the Zal Gaz Grotto Club, 2070 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor 48103. Memorial gifts for eye research may be sent to the UofM Kellogg Eye Center, 1000 Wall St., Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
From MLive, 2017.
