Taimi M. Arey

Taimi M. Arey, 88, Brainerd, passed away on August 29, 2009, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.

She was born Dec. 28, 1920, in Waukegan, Ill., to Everet and Impi (Kivioja) Maki. After her mother passed away she was raised by her father's brother, Waino and Anna Maki and their children became her family as she grew up. She graduated from high school in Brainerd in 1940. She attended the first class for human services tech and was then employed at the state hospital for 25 years. She married Don Garrard and had two children from this union. She later married John Arey.

She is survived by her son, Timn Garrard, East Helena, Mont.; four grandchildren, Brent, Stacy, Jace, Paige (Sean) Barquist, all from Washington; seven great-grandchildren. Also survived by her half-sister, June Pensala, Waukegan, Ill.; her nephew, Pete (Ruth) Clabo, Brainerd; and many nieces, nephews, and also relatives in Finland.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her daughter, Susan O'Hara.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home in Brainerd with Pastor Chip Avelsgaard officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday. Interment will be at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday in Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Brainerd.

Arrangements are with Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services.