Maxine Mazie Kirschenmann

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, SD, 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, SD, 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; 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 Pine Slope Cemetery in Belle Fourche, SD. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care