Maxine Breidenbach passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024, at Holy Rosary Hospital with family by her side.
Maxine was born on September 7, 1940, in Lewistown, MT to Theodore “Ted” and Elizabeth “Betty” Fuller. She joined a brother and sister in Hanover, MT. Another sister joined the family the following year. The family of six moved to Greenfield Bench northwest of Great Falls. Three more sisters joined the family.
Maxine attended Crow School through the eighth grade. She attended Simms High School, graduating in 1959. After high school Maxine worked at a bank in Great Falls for a brief time. Maxine started dating Leo C. Breidenbach while both were in high school. Leo graduated high school in 1957 and served in the Navy. They wrote many letters to each other. They were married February 20, 1960, at the Methodist church in Simms.
They made their first home in a camper trailer. When Leo returned home from the service, he started work for the phone company “Ma Bell” as a lineman. The job took them all over north and central Montana. Some towns/cities they made their home in were Choteau, Great Falls, Havre, Malta, Milltown, and Missoula. While in Chouteau, their first son Carl was born in 1961. They had a daughter and two more sons over the next 5 years. Maxine raised four children on her own during the week because Leo was only able to be home on the weekends. In 1969, a job opportunity brought them to Miles City. The move allowed Maxine and Leo to raise their children together.
With four children in 5 years, Maxine found herself taking kids to practices, ball games, swimming lessons, and many other activities. She even took on the role of den mother for several years. Once all of the kids were in school, Maxine worked part-time at Jefferson School. Maxine and Leo were active in the Eagles Club. Maxine received Ladies Auxiliary Eagle of the Year.
In April of 1983, Maxine lost the love of her life. She could no longer work part-time with two children at home. She started to work at Kmart in the cafeteria and eventually in the jewelry department. Once all the kids were on their own, Maxine decided to move to Lewistown to be closer to her brother. She missed her family and friends in Miles City and moved back after about a year. Maxine worked at County Market in the bakery for several years. She also found a game she enjoyed, the game of darts. She was on leagues with all her kids but the team she enjoyed the most was the women’s team. This team included her dear friends: Rosie Holmes, Delores Lathrop, Dee Peltzer, Shirley Elliot, and Linda Fenner. Maxine continued throwing darts almost every Saturday at her son Carl’s home.
When she retired, she babysat her granddaughters. Always the caregiver she babysat her great grandson until May of this year. Maxine loved family and friends get togethers whether it was a holiday, birthday, or Saturday dart game. Her family was especially important.
Maxine was preceded by her husband, her parents, Leo’s parents, her brother Jim, and sisters Linda Henry and Janice Bowen, her sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law Betty (Dick) Wilsey and Diana Fuller, Eric Henry and George Boomer.
Maxine is survived by her children Carl (Nancy), Laura (Earl) Bennett, Kent all of Miles City and Gary (Tina) of Nampa, Idaho, and honorary daughter Connie (Duncan) Bartholomew of Miles City. Her grandkids Ambra, Emily, Brianna, Mike, and Jenny, seven great grandkids and three great-great grandkids. Also survived by her sisters Karen Boomer, Lucy McShane, Eileen Fuller, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Paul (Alice) Breidenbach, Gyda (Jerry) Hudson, and Don Bowen, and many nieces and nephews.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Custer County Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Custer County Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Wanda Linnell Richlen says
Laura and family
We are sincerely sorry about the loss of your Mom. I have so many memories of you folks. Also the time working with her.
You are in our prayers and in our hearts
Cathy Lampert says
Carl, Laura, Kent, and families,you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Lorrie Pearce says
She was an awesome person to work with. Dry humor and all! Thoughts are with you Kent, Laura and Carl!
Kim Kelly Peterson says
Kent, Carl and Laura I am sorry to see that Maxine has passed. She was a great person and we shared a lot of laughs playing darts. You are in my thoughts & prayers. RIP Maxine.
Michael Brabant says
Kent, Carl, Laura sorry for your loss , I always told Maxine it’s in the wrist , dart fans will know what I am talking about, My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
linda walker says
Laura and Carl, Kent sorry to hear about your mom. Such a cute little lady.
Alice Breidenbach says
Carl, Laura, Kent and Gary – My heart breaks for you. Hugs and Love for you at this difficult time.
Aunt Alice
Cindy and Bob Flotkoetter says
Carl, Laura, Kent and Gary, you are in my prayers, your mom was a wonderful person and raised 4 great adults.
Sherri Prevel-Schneidt says
So very sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna Leitholt-Taylor says
Laura and family so sorry for your loss.
Cindy and Dale Berg says
Laura, Carl & Kent,
So sorry for your loss of your dear mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Wanda Bankey says
So sorry for your loss. all of your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Betty Vail says
Laura, sorry about your mom. I’m thinking she’s playing darts with mine now!
Rich McRae says
Condolences to my classmates for the loss of you Mom. She was the scorekeeper the first time I ever went bowling. Saturday mornings, junior league, when we got assigned to a team needing a player. Still remember the look on her face when I dropped the ball behind me.
Josephine Meidinger says
So sorry 😞 for loss of your Mother and grandma. Allows enjoyed her company. Hugs and prayers for all of Maxine family and friends ❤️
Danna Jablinske says
Laura,
It was so nice seeing you last week. I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. I remember working with her at KMART, she was always fun to be around. Your parents were neighbors to my mom for several years. Hold tight to the love and memories she shared with all of you.
Much love, Danna and family
MARTHA J CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Dawn Biery Koehn says
Laura and family,
So sorry for your loss. May God walk with you through this difficult time
Eileen Fuller. says
I will miss my sister Maxine so much. My prayers are with all of you.
Erica James says
I am so sorry to hear this. I wish all of you, my cousins, the very best; you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Darbie Karch and family says
Laura and family keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.🙏
Karen Losing says
Laura and Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Our Mothers are so precious and it’s so hard to say goodbye to them. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
Marcy Stabler Parks says
Carl, Laura, and families, I am so sorry! You are all in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to all of you!
Mary Kings Grube says
Carl and families:
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Mary Partridge says
So sorry for the loss of your Mom. We were all neighbors for several years–the times when all of the boys (mine and the Breidenbach crew) and, oh the trouble your guys could get into!! Great memories. Your mother was always right there sorting out the injured from the rest and taking care of whatever needed to be done. We Cub Scouted together and shared leadership through the years.
You all grew up but your mother never changed. She always had a friendly “Hello, how you doing?” when we would meet. We will all miss her. Mary and Jerry, Mark and Jay.
Cherie McNett says
Carl, Laura, Kent and Gary and families we are all thinking of you. Maxine is at peace and her and Uncle Leo are together again. Love, Cherie and Jim
Karen Boomer says
My heart is breaking for all of you in this time of loss. My dear sister was such an ever caring mother and grandmother. May she rest in peace and be forever be with the love of her life, your father Leo. Love you.
Aunt Karen
Starla schneider williams says
I’m so sorry to hear about Maxine I just found out my heart is breaking for you all she was such a sweety and yes loved playing darts with her when I was able to play also it was fun shooting with her and Carl and tannis we had good fun and we were a good team loved your mom may she fly high with the Angels God bless her and you all
Lonnie Hatton says
Carl, Laura, Kent and Gary I cannot say how sorry I am for your loss. I truly wish I could have come home.
I would like to share with everyone what a wonderful woman my Aunt Maxine is – I was 9 years old when our family moved to Miles City and I was blessed to have her if I needed a sounding board if needed someone else to talk too as I grew up, by the time I was 18 I realized how rare that was in a person. I saw over the years even from a distance how she was always watching out for everyone and if you needed help she was there for you. I will miss her greatly.
Vickie Schneidt says
Laura & Family,
I’m sorry for the loss of your mom. She was a fun and friendly lady.
Garth Sleight says
Laura and Family,
My condolences to all of you on the passing of your mom. Cherish the memories.
Kelly says
Carl and family, although it’s been many years ago, I remember your mom as a warm welcoming and kind soul. God bless you all.
Kelly (Nielsen)