MADISON - Maxine Mazie Kirschenmann, age 94, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at Oak Park Place - Autumn Lane. She was born on May 7, 1928, in Nisland, S.D., the daughter of Francis Hanes and Ada (Blair) Hanes.

Maxine earned a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University. She married Raymond (Ray) Kirschenmann in Brookings, S.D., a week after their graduation, on June 11, 1950. They raised three girls in Minnesota and in North and South Dakota, but also took summer trips to both coasts. After Jean, the eldest, joined the Peace Corps, they took the whole family to visit her in Yap, Micronesia. Later, Ray and Maxine often visited Hawaii, where their granddaughter was born and raised.

After Ray’s death in 1995, Maxine moved to the Twin Cities to be near her youngest daughter, Lori, an optometrist. Maxine joined Lori on a medical mission to Honduras, and they also toured Ireland and Germany together. In 2007, Maxine and Lori traveled to Japan to visit Jean, who was teaching there. In 2015, she moved to Madison to be near middle daughter Donna’s family, with two grandsons.

Maxine was an avid reader, crossword-puzzler, and accomplished seamstress. In her free time, she enjoyed sewing, quilting, and knitting for others, as well as volunteering at churches, schools, and libraries in her community. She and Ray also silkscreened their own Christmas cards for many decades. Late in life, she took up painting, inspired by two of her aunts.

Maxine is survived by her daughter, Jean (Joel Bradshaw) Kirschenmann; son-in-law, John Schlaefer; grandchildren, Rachel (Michael Paydos) Bradshaw, David Schlaefer and Todd Schlaefer; and sister-in-law, Tena (widow of Rex) Hanes. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray; daughters, Donna Kirschenmann and Lori Kirschenmann; and brothers, Edwin (Dorothy) Hanes, Gordon Hanes, Norman (Tillie) Hanes and Rex Hanes.

A private family gathering will be held at a later time at Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche, S.D. Instead of a memorial, please honor Maxine by performing an act of kindness for others. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Maxine M. Kirschenmann

May 07, 1928 - December 28, 2022

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