Maxine Ruth Pekarek was born July 30, 1944, to Fredrick and Iris (Kunselman) Saathoff in Hastings.
She attended Hastings High School, graduating in 1962. On June 21, 1969, Maxine was united in marriage to Dwaine Pekarek in Lincoln. Maxine helped Dwaine on the farm and enjoyed taking care of her family. She liked to quilt and was a wine connoisseur.
She especially enjoyed visiting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spending time with her German Shephard, Bear. She was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Denton. Maxine passed away March 29, 2026, in Lincoln, at the age of 81.
She is survived by her children, Dave (Kandice) Pekarek of Lincoln, Scott (Sheila) Pekarek of Garland, Dwaine, Jr., (Cindy) Pekarek of Beaver Lake, and John (Debra) Pekarek of Urbandale, Iowa. She was a proud grandmother to Reece (Madison) Pekarek and their children, Harvey, Callum and Arthur; Breanna (Drew) Hoffmann and their son, Hudson; Kelli Pekarek (Justin Liddick) and Kyle Pekarek; Matthew (Amanda) Clark and their son, Riley; Ali (Cody) Clark and their children, Wesley and Beckham; Jillian Pekarek and A.J. Pekarek; Cassidy (Arden) Pekarek; and Logan (Morgan) Pekarek; sister, Marilyn McWhirter of Hastings, and many nieces and nephews.
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, Fredrick and Iris Saathoff; her husband, Dwaine Pekarek; sister, Francis Lau; and brother-in-law, Gib McWhirter.
A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday, April 7, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Denton. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, April 8, at 11 a.m. at the church with committal following at the Pleasant Dale Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Pekarek family.
Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
