BRITT — Maxine D. Kumsher, 82, passed away October 4, 2026, at Westview Care Center in Britt.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 7, at 10:30 a.m. at Britt Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Michael Foose officiating. Visitation was held Tuesday at Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt and will continue for one hour before Wednesday’s service at the church. Inurnment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Britt Evangelical Free Church Children’s Ministry.
Maxine Dolores Sobek was born January 22, 1944, in Corwith to George and Anna Havlik Sobek. She graduated from Ventura High School in 1962.
Maxine worked at the Clear Lake Bakery and later as a clerk at Waverly Electric Company.
She met Ray Kumsher at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, and the couple married September 18, 1965, at St. John’s Lutheran Church east of Garner.
Together they farmed southeast of Britt and raised three sons, Chris, Paul and Ted.
Maxine later worked for many years as a custodian at Hancock County Memorial Hospital and Britt Evangelical Free Church, along with holding various other positions.
She was especially known for her baking, including her famous apple pies, as well as her gardening and her love for being a grandmother. Her grandchildren knew her affectionately as “Grandma Dee.”
Faith and church life were also central to Maxine’s life.
She was an active member of Britt Evangelical Free Church and served in numerous roles with the children’s ministry, including Vacation Bible School and welcoming and registering children.
Maxine taught kindergarten Sunday school for many years. After stepping away for a time, she returned to teaching when her grandchildren reached that age.
She also served as an AWANA listener for decades and maintained special relationships with many of the students she worked with over the years.
Maxine also dedicated herself to FCWM, Women’s Christian Ministry, where she participated in numerous mission projects.
She is survived by her husband, Raymond; sons Chris and Nancy Kumsher of Shakopee, Minnesota, Paul and Cindy Kumsher of Britt, and Ted and Avery Kumsher of Ames; grandchildren Madolyn Kumsher, Isabelle Kumsher and fiancé Connor Kratzke, Emma Kumsher, Ana Dee and TJ Lathrop, Rachel and Jacob Hayworth, Maxwell and Callie Kumsher, Eva Kumsher and Ian Kumsher; great-grandchildren Charlie and Louie Lathrop and Eddie and George Hayworth; brother Daniel and Phyllis Sobek of Mason City; sister Margie Ellgen of Kansas City, Missouri; brother-in-law Bob and Patty Kumsher; sisters-in-law Jeanette and Dick Whitehurst, Verna Kendall, Betty Lou and Bill Reibsamen, and Mae Kumsher; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law Sam Kendall and Eddie Kumsher; nephew Eric Ellgen; and niece Karen Sobek.
Additional information and condolences for the family are available through Cataldo Funeral Home.
NorthIowaToday.com publishes obituaries and remembrances for families and funeral homes free of charge.