Maxine E. Sommerfeld, 96, of Mason City, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at her home surrounded by family. A private graveside service will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to American Cancer Society.
Maxine Elaine (Christensen) Sommerfeld was born on February 17, 1927, in Ventura, Iowa to parents Einer and Matilda (Paulsen) Christensen. She was the second of three children. Maxine grew up in Ventura, and in her elementary years attended country school in a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated from Ventura High School in 1944. After graduation, Maxine attended Mason City Junior College, and worked at a photography shop, where she met her husband, Bob Sommerfeld. The couple were wed in 1948 in Clear Lake and were later blessed with four children: Robert, Steven, David and Lisbeth.
Maxine was a homemaker for many years, until Bob’s passing in 1965. Maxine then worked at Trinity Lutheran Preschool as a teacher, and later at Head Start, where she started out as a teacher, then moved her way up to a coordinator, and finally a director. She spent more than 30 years in early childhood development roles before retiring.
In her free time, Maxine loved reading, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. She cherished family gatherings, big dinners, games, and puzzles. Maxine was an amazing mother, grandmother, and friend, and she will be dearly missed by those who knew her and loved her.
Maxine is survived by her children, Robert E. (Mary) Sommerfeld, David M. (Katy) Sommerfeld, and Lisbeth Decker; daughter-in-law, Sheryl Sommerfeld; sisters-in-law, Reta (Sommerfeld) Braun and Betty Christensen; nine grandchildren, Jessica, Jason, Sara, Jonathon, Amanda, Samantha, Jeni, Jennifer, and Jessica; and 21 great grandchildren, Kennedie, Kuper, Emersyn, Grady, Gaige, Graeson, Noah, Madison, Kayla, Leigha, Cameron, Logan, Jack, Elliot, Lincoln, Everett, Oliver, Fin, Sebastian, Alexis, and Mason.
Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Sommerfeld; son, Steven C. Sommerfeld; parents, Einer V. and Matilda Christensen; and brothers, Max and Curtis Christensen.
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