Maxine Irene Kaehler

All who knew Maxine Kaehler would agree that no one met her and left unchanged. She was lively, vibrant, and fun loving with just the right amount of independent spunk mixed in. The matriarch of her family, everyone was family to Maxine whether truly related in some way or not, and she was happiest when she was serving others. A woman ahead of her time, she accomplished so much of which to be proud, yet it was the accomplishments of her loved ones that were her greatest source of pride and joy. Maxine leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that will be forever cherished.It seems only fitting that Maxine's journey began during a time that was as colorful as she was. It was the Roaring Twenties when radios, washing machines, and motion pictures in both color and sound were signs of the time. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1921 that was filled with great joy for a young couple from Eyota, Minnesota, as they announced the birth of their healthy baby girl on July 16th. Maxine Irene was one of six children born to her parents, Fred and Christina (Pries) Schumann, and she was raised in the family home alongside her three brothers and two sisters. She was a young girl of her generation who attended local schools and graduated from Eyota High School. Maxine also attended Mankato Secretarial School.New and exciting changes were in store for Maxine when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Donald Kaehler, and they met at a dance while she was working in Farmington after completing secretarial school. Deeply in love, Maxine and Don were married on May 1, 1948. Together they made their home on his family farm in rural St. Charles where they raised their seven children including Frank, Christine, Marian, Ed, Janet, Ralph, and Ben. Their house and farm were always a bustle of activity full of extended family members and hired help. Maxine was the heartbeat of the farm, which included an eight bedroom farmhouse. She loved cooking for everyone and always seemed to have something cooking, baking, or being canned. Maxine was famous for her homemade jam that was prepared with whatever berries were in season or in her freezer. Known to everyone as Grandma's Jam, it was truly unmatched. During mealtimes there were usually at least 12 people at the table, often including her nieces and nephews who came to the farm for weeks at a time during the summer and the hired help on the farm. Maxine's niece, Judy, spent many summers there as "hired help." When picking peas they often took of their blouses to get a suntan, but they had to scramble to put them back on when someone came over in their direction! Their farm was also home to 30 acres of gladiolas every year, bringing such beauty to the St. Charles area.A mother to her core, Maxine always had her children's best interests at heart. It was always assumed that all of her children would go to college, and although she gently guided her children she allowed them to decide what path to take in their life. If anyone wanted to farm instead of going to college, Maxine required they attend college first and then come home to farm. In fact, she considered her greatest achievement in life to be that all 20 of her grandchildren also went to college. A feminist before her time, Maxine got her driver's license as a young woman when it was uncommon for women to do so. Her daughters remember their mother telling them at a young age that they should never have to ask their husband's permission to go somewhere - but they should leave a note telling where they went and when they would be home.As life went on there was nothing that was of greater significance in Maxine's life than her family. Everyone loved it when she was in the audience as she made the participant feel like they were a rock star. Maxine went to numerous dance recitals, wrestling matches, shows, concerts, and sporting events through the years. She loved games and was always ready for a board game of some kind whether scrabble or something else, and she played to win, too.Don passed away in 1984 and in 1992 Maxine moved from the farm while her son Ralph and his family moved there to take over. Maxine lived across the street from the St Charles elementary school, and many of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren stopped by after school for a visit including their great-granddaughter, Elizabeth, who stopped every day after school for eight years! Also in 1992, an employee from the farm named Leonard Halvorson moved into the house to help Maxine. He spent 47 years working on their farm, and Maxine had always been a caretaker to him so he was happy to help around the house during her later years.A lifelong resident of the area she loved, Maxine was a lifetime member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ and also a member of their ladies guild. She was a lifetime member and Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, and also a member of the Job's Daughters, Neighborhood Homemakers and Winona County Extension Office.Gentle yet strong, humble and gracious, Maxine Kaehler was a true gift in the lives of everyone she met. She was a nurturer by heart and selfless toward all who were near. Although she worked hard, Maxine also took time to soak in the moments of everyday life no matter how routine or ordinary. She will be forever missed but never forgotten.Maxine Irene Kaehler, of St. Charles, died peacefully Monday, January 5, 2015, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester. Maxine's family includes her seven children, Frank (Mary) Kaehler, Christine (Greg Markham) Kaehler, Marian (Richard) Dovenberg, Ed (Julie) Kaehler, Janet (Steve) Hagedorn, Ralph (Filomena) Kaehler and J. Ben (Martha) Kaehler; grandchildren, Nicole (Lowell) Jabs and their children, Elixabeth, Lane and Samantha Jo; Rachel (Zack) Leaver and their children, Weston and Clara; Leah (Andy) Mindemann and their children, Maggie, Gabe and Paige; Scott (Lacey Dickson) Kaehler; Angela (Kyle) Hotz and their daughter, Abby; Lyndsie Kaehler; Mike, Matt, Kate and Liz Dovenberg; Jill Kaehler, Theodore (Emily) Kaehler, Nathan Kaehler, Alex (Isabella) Kaehler, Samuel and Joseph Hagedorn; Clifton Kaehler, Seth (Shelby) Kaehler and Emma and Mia Kaehler; sister, Eileen Traeger; sisters-in-law, Rotha Schumann and Margaret Schumann; brother-in-law, Charles Gathje; and many loved nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, three brothers, and one sister. Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 8, 2015, at St. Paul's UCC in rural Eyota with the Reverend Jean Boese officiating. Visitation will be 4 - 8 p.m., Wednesday at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service - St. Charles and one hour before the service at the church. Maxine will be laid to rest next to her husband at Hillside Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to St. Paul's UCC or St. Charles Academic Excellence. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Scott Kaehler, Ted Kaehler, Nathan Kaehler, Alex Kaehler, Cliff Kaehler, Seth Kaehler, Sam Hagedorn, Joe Hagedorn, Mike Dovenberg and Matt Dovenberg. In one of the stars I shall be living; in one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night and there is sweetness in the laughter of all the stars...and in the memories of those you love. Please share a memory of Maxine, sign her online guestbook and view her video and life story when they become available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/555873