A short life honored: Family and friends remember Nate Maki

Former Burlington student dies during hunting incident in Texas

By Mike Ramczyk

Sports Editor

“I wouldn’t wish this on anybody, this is the toughest thing. It’s horrible, but we’re trying to stay Natestrong.”

Harold Maki sat in a chair slouched forward, fighting back tears Tuesday as he described his difficult, gut-wrenching healing process.

Nate, Harold’s 18-year-old son who grew up in Burlington but later moved to Texas, was shot and died Aug. 31 while hunting with a friend.

Nate and a friend had loaded firearms and, according to various reports, were searching for ducks when the friend’s weapon discharged. Harold Maki said the case is still under investigation.

“Cherish every moment, even if it’s the goofiest thing,” Harold said about children.

One of four siblings including two older brothers and a younger sister, “Junior” – as Harold affectionately called him – grew up in Lyons and attended Burlington schools until moving to Texas in eighth grade with his mom, Bonnie Tatera and her boyfriend.

Harold and Derek, the oldest son at 23, remained in Burlington.

Nate played for the Guyer-Denton football team, which began its state title defense Sept. 5 – the same night as Nate’s funeral. The players and coaches dedicated the game and season to Nate, whose ashes now sit at home in Denton, a suburb 20 miles outside Dallas.

“Some of the family wasn’t getting along, but we all came together for Nate,” Harold said. “There were more than 1,500 people at the funeral.”

There has been a large outcry of support for Nate, whether from his Texas teammates bringing his mom and family food each day, or local friends reaching out to Harold and offering a helping hand.

But this is all such new, unchartered territory, and Harold said the process will take time.

Unique talent

Nate was a one-of-a-kind athletic talent, and his games with the Burlington Spiders, a local youth football team, are that of legend.

Harold said Nate ran for nearly 50 touchdowns in only three seasons with the Spiders, and a childhood friend said Nate averaged four touchdowns a game.

“He was blessed by God in sports,” Harold said. “I’m not just saying that because he’s my son.”

Nate touched the lives of so many with his friendly demeanor and constant smile. Last Friday, students at Burlington High School paid tribute. Those attending the varsity football game conducted a “Blue Out,” where all of the roughly 100 students dressed in blue. Adyson Dinatale, a BHS senior, said that’s the color they would sport at football games in Texas.

A 30-foot-long banner declaring “R.I.P. Nate Maki #33” hung from the front of the BHS bleachers. Nate wore #33 with the Spiders.

“I thought it was bad enough that he left but hearing about his death really put me in shock,” said Burlington senior and childhood friend Nate Klug. “Nate was an all-around great kid. He knew how to light up a room. Nate was someone who left a lasting impression.”

Harold said Nate would befriend the friendless and treated everyone like they were his best friends. A risk-taker, Nate’s theory was, “Go big or go home.”

The consummate big brother, he showed his younger sister, a freshman, around to all of her classes at the start of this school year in Texas.

“He once chased down a 300-pound hog,” Harold said of Nate. “He had no fear. Anything he did, it had to be epic. He would do running backflips into the pool. “Nate enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest.”

Following his passion

Harold said Nate’s mother and boyfriend moved to Texas partially for Nate and his football prowess. Football is year-round in Texas, and it’s the only sport you play, Harold said.

“Other kids you coached, with Nate you just sat back and watched,” Harold said.

Coaches, players and people can vouch for Nate Maki. He was good – perhaps even scholarship good.

A 5-foot-10, 175-pound fullback, Nate could do it all. He was “ripped,” said Harold, and he could run around a player – or over him. He could even throw the ball 50 yards or make a big hit on defense.

In addition to football, baseball and basketball came easy to Nate.

A member of the Korky’s Little League team, Nate –who was 10 at the time – pitched a complete game in the city Little League championship despite facing 11- and 12-year-olds. As a 9-year-old, he was a starting outfielder.

In T-ball, Nate hit the ball over the outfielders’ heads nearly every time, Harold said, and he could play any position. He also excelled at basketball. Nate won punt, pass and kick competitions. You name it, he did it.

Now, Harold would give anything to watch his son play ball just one more time. He’s back at work, but he said he hasn’t gone out and seen anyone yet.

“This is the hardest thing a parent has to go through,” Harold said.

In memory

At Guyer-Denton’s football game last week, Nate’s teammates played with so much emotion, according to Harold.

Nate’s best friend scored a touchdown and came over to the Maki family and handed Nate’s brother the ball. He even made a No. 33 hand gesture in honor of Nate.

Back home, Harold can’t thank the community enough for its support.

“The support has been unreal,” he said. “Nate was so well-loved.”

Peyton Bucklew, Nate’s girlfriend of two years, has been there every step of the way for Harold and the Makis. In 2012, during the same fall season Nate’s team won the state title, Peyton’s soccer team won state. They were all set to go to the same college.

“Peyton and her mom (Teresa) have been incredible,” Harold said. “They are part of the family. Ever since they started dating, they were ‘the’ couple.”

BHS senior Collin Sewell attended the funeral and the commemorative football game. He couldn’t believe how Nate’s memory brought together thousands of people and several area schools.

“They won for him,” Sewell said Tuesday night. “The stadium was packed. It was hard. He’s family to me.”

Sewell and Maki did a lot of fun and even “stupid” stuff together in middle school. Sewell said Nate once broke his collarbone playing football in Texas, came back to Wisconsin, played for the Spiders and broke it again.

“We were best friends,” Sewell said. “He stayed at my house when he would come back. He was the best athlete in Burlington. He was an amazing football and baseball player.”

Lucas Dahl, a pretty good athlete himself who currently stars for the Demons, said nobody compared to Nate on the football field.

“He was one of the best Spiders’ players ever,” said Dahl, who was Nate’s neighbor in Lyons. “Nobody could stop him on the football field. He was a great person. If he wanted to do something, he got it done. He didn’t take the easy way out.”

“He was like a brother to me, we could tell each other anything,” Dahl added.

Nate and his dad grew up huge Brett Favre fans. He never converted to being a Cowboys fan, even though BHS graduate Tony Romo is the team’s starting quarterback.

Nate did everything with passion, and football was his love, Harold said.

Klug vividly remembers as kids Nate, Luke Hesse, Larry Meeks, Matt Lahti and himself hanging out and having sleepovers most weekends.

One time, they all stayed out way too long in the cold. The next week at school, all four stayed at home sick.

“We were young and reckless,” Klug said.

Another time, Nate and Klug dressed up as girls for Halloween. Nate stole his mom’s bra and stuffed it with socks. Klug said that was Nate’s sense of humor.

Klug said even his young siblings will never forget Nate.

“They were only 7 when Nate left, but they still have fond memories of him,” Klug said. “My thoughts and prayers are with Nate and his family. We all miss him.”

Harold hopes to have a benefit, and he said “Natestrong” wristbands and T-shirts are available at the Burlington High School athletic office. But overall, he just misses “Junior.”

“Nate was very special,” Harold said. “He just melts your heart.”

If anyone would like to make a donation in honor of Nat Maki, contact Harold Maki at [email protected].