Maxine Wilma (Schroeder) Mashek was born Nov. 2, 1936, in Millerton, Nebraska, to Martin T. and Wilhelmina (Damm) Schroeder and entered her heavenly home Oct. 11, 2023, in Lincoln, at the age of 86 years, 11 months and 9 days. She was baptized Nov. 15, 1936, in David City.
Maxine grew up on the family farm near Garrison, Nebraska. She attended Immanuel Lutheran School, in rural Rising City until the eighth grade. Maxine then attended and graduated from Ulysses High School with the Class of 1954. On April 8, 1956, she was united in marriage to Maurice D. Mashek at Immanuel Lutheran Church, and to this union, they were blessed with six children. Maxine was a homemaker and a wonderful mother to her children. She later became an Avon representative, a job she enjoyed very much and continued to do for many years. Maxine also held several other jobs through the years and volunteered at the Ulysses Library.
Maxine was an incredible cook and loved hosting family and friends over for meals. Even her kids’ friends would come over to eat, even after they left for college. She enjoyed gardening, canning, reading, embroidering and working on crossword puzzles. Later in life, she loved cooking and hosting senior citizens for dinner at her home. Maxine and Maurice enjoyed watching Husker athletics as well as attending the games. She had a deep love for her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Maxine was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church for more than 50 years.
Maxine was preceded in by death by her parents; husband, Maurice D. Mashek; twin daughters, Roselyn and Rosalie; great-granddaughter, Bella Bartz; two brothers, Martin Schroeder, Jr., and Clifford Schroeder; two sisters-in-law, Maryann Schroeder and Alfreda Schroeder; brother-in-law, Jack Worman; and niece, Kim Forney.
Survivors cherishing her memory include her four children, Maurice and wife, Mary Mashek, Gretna, Colleen Vreeland, Kirksville, Missouri, Pamela and husband, Jess Van Norman, Malmo, amd Maureen and husband, Keith Stearns, Utica; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Worman; and numerous nieces, nephews and adopted grandchildren.
Visitation is from 1 – 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward with family receiving friends from 4 – 7 p.m. The funeral service will be Monday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Staplehurst with interment at the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mashek family for future designations. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
