Marietta Akey

Marietta “Minta” Akey (née Malicki), 79, of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away at St. Rita Square on May 3, 2026. The oldest of three sisters, she was born March 10, 1947, in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Eugene and Mary Malicki.

Minta grew up in South Milwaukee and attended South Milwaukee high school, where she met the love of her life, Alan “Al” Akey, while on their high school trip to New York City. They married in 1968, bought a home in South Milwaukee, and started a family. Richard (Rik) was born in 1969, and Brian followed in 1972.

Minta and Al relocated their young family to Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1977 to build their dream home on a quiet cul de sac, surrounded by many friendly neighbors, also with young families. There, she raised her boys through the Waukesha school system, St. Andrew’s Lutheran church, and the Boy Scouts.

After retiring from a long and successful career in commercial sewing, Minta and Al relocated to Bella Vista, Arkansas in 2005, following their dear friends and Waukesha neighbors, Ryan and Lynn Smith, out of the cold weather. Minta and Al’s retirement home on the edge of Lake Ann, served them well for many years. The deck overlooking the quiet lake was the perfect peaceful spot to relax with their dog Abby. As Minta was fond of saying, they felt every day they were on vacation.

In retirement, Minta spent many happy hours in her sewing room, making quilts, and launching a successful mail-order baby bassinet and christening gown business with her best friend, Lynn Smith. Minta also loved gardening; her roses and houseplants brought her joy.

After Al passed away in January of 2024, Minta’s family relocated her home to Milwaukee, and she took up residence at St. Rita Square with her beloved dog Abby.

Minta was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Al, her parents, Eugene and Mary, and her sister, Barbara. Minta is survived by her sister, Debbie Malicki, and her sons, Rik (Cynthia) Akey of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Brian (Drew Nazarian) Akey of Seattle, Washington, as well as Marc Labie (Anne-Christelle) of Mons, Belgium.

A celebration of life will be held at Molthen-Bell & Son funeral home, 700 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee, WI on Friday, May 8. Visitation begins at 10:00, service at 11:30. Interment to follow at Forest Hill Memorial Park in Oak Creek at 12:30.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

https://www.alz.org/wi