It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Zoltan Mako, dear friend and beloved husband, father, and grandfather.

Zoltan was born in 1936 in Polgar. He spent his childhood pestering his older brother Istvan and getting into mischief of one kind or another. He often spoke fondly of time he spent with his own father, helping him on their farm and traveling to cities to get supplies for their small store.

During the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, Zoltan along with some friends escaped Hungary and spent time in a refugee camp in Austria. He came to America with dreams of having a different kind of life than the one his parents had.

After arriving in America he lived in New Jersey and then Denver, Colorado. He had a variety of jobs and learned how to speak English. He spent much of his free time dancing and playing soccer, his passion in life.

In 1962, Zoltan moved to Seattle following rumors of exceptional soccer teams and beautiful girls, and it was there he met his love, Jadwiga. They were married at St. Mary's Church in 1967 and celebrated their reception at the Polish Hall, where they danced the night away. Jadwiga's family loved and welcomed Zoltan.

Zoltan played for the Seattle Hungarian Soccer Club and worked hard at his small typewriter repair shop to support his wife and eventually their three children Steven, Annamarie, and Jennifer. He loved his family more than anything and proudly shared his Hungarian heritage with them.

In early eighties, Zoltan and a few other Hungarian Americans decided it was important to honor their heritage and founded the Hungarian American Association of Washington. He served as the association's first President and was always an active member in the Hungarian community.

Zoltan will be remembered for his kind-heart, generous spirit, and fun-loving nature. He was a wonderful friend, husband, father, and grandfather.

He is survived by his devoted wife Jadwiga, adoring children Steven, Annamarie, and Jennifer, son and daughter in-laws Susan, Lee, and Shane, and his loving grandchildren Ryan, Rebecca, and Felix. He is also survived by several family members in Hungary including his brothers Istvan and Erno.